Archaeological investigations

There are lots of ways to investigate your scheduled monument ranging from historical research through to archaeological investigation. Techniques that disturb the ground or masonry will require scheduled monument consent, but there are plenty of things you can do without formal consent. If you are not the land owner, you should ask their permission if you need access to the site.

If you are thinking about carrying out an investigation on a scheduled monument, it is best to contact Cadw to help you plan the best way to do it.

You do not need to tell Cadw in advance if you plan to conduct a non-invasive survey that does not require consent. This includes topographic surveys, photographic surveys, lidar (laser) survey and aerial photographic surveys. But it can be very useful for Cadw to know that such work will be taking place and to receive a copy of your results. A copy should also be submitted to your local historic environment record, which is managed by one of the four Welsh archaeological trusts, and to the National Monuments Record of Wales.

Investigative survey techniques that are designed to explore and identify buried archaeology and artefacts will require Cadw’s written permission before you begin. This includes geophysical survey (magnetometry, resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and ground-penetrating radar) and soil sampling. It is a criminal offence to use these techniques in a scheduled area without first obtaining the relevant permission. In most cases, Cadw will grant consent for geophysical surveys. This is known as a section 42 consent.

When Cadw gives consent for investigations, you must make the results public by depositing a copy of the final report in your local historic environment record and the National Monuments Record of Wales. This is to make sure that everyone can benefit from the new information about the monument. We also encourage investigators to publish their results in suitable journals or books.

You will need to apply for a section 42 consent for geophysical survey.

Although excavation is often the most effective way of investigating the past, it is a destructive act and should not be entered into lightly. Once something has been ‘dug up’ it cannot be replaced, and there is no opportunity for future generations to go back and repeat the work. For this reason, applications for consent to excavate scheduled monuments must demonstrate that the benefits of new knowledge are likely to outweigh the damage caused by the excavation.

Projects must have appropriately qualified personnel and sufficient financial resources to work to the highest standards. All excavations at scheduled monuments must adhere to the relevant best-practice guidelines produced by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA).  The research design must justify why the excavation is necessary and aim to minimise the scale of disturbance taking account of advice in Conservation Principles.

When Cadw gives consent for investigations, you must make the results public by depositing a copy of the final report in your local historic environment record and the National Monuments Record of Wales. This is to make sure that everyone can benefit from the new information about the monument. We also encourage investigators to publish their results in suitable journals or books.

If you carry out an excavation you will also need to make arrangements to deposit the archaeological archive safely in a registered museum in accordance with national guidelines so that it is available for future study.

You will always need to apply for scheduled monument consent for excavation.