Prior to carrying out archaeological evaluations and watching briefs, the likelihood of encountering a villa or something equivalent is considered, sometimes with the use of a desk based assessment or geophysical survey, with the purpose of avoiding this outcome.

While it’s unlikely that archaeology of national significance such as a villa will be recorded on your site, it will be stated in the Written Scheme of Investigation that if this was to happen, Ambrey Archaeology would consult with the curator (the LPA’s Archaeological Advisor) and the main contractor as well as the developer.

The remains would have to be recorded to a suitable archaeological standard and may need to be preserved in situ.

However, this is very rare – most archaeology discovered ahead of development can be mitigated by a programme of archaeological works.