Quotation for Archaeology Test Pitting Evaluation on Cutthroat track

Transcription

1 Quotation for Archaeology Test Pitting Evaluation on Cutthroat track SECTION 1. PROJECT SUMMARY AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING A TENDER RETURN 1. a. Project Summary Archaeological investigations are potentially required in line with proposed repairs of the Bridleway at Cutthroat Track on Derwent Moor in Derbyshire. The project is part of a scheme of capital works being conducted under the HLS agreement for Moscar House Farm (CPH: 09/098/9005) The proposal is for the restoration of a bridleway which runs from Cutthroat Bridge on the A57 Snake Road and the Whinston Lee Tor path on Derwent Edge. At this time the proposed repair project is unconfirmed being in the initial proposal stages. Therefore the requirement for archaeological investigations is also at this time unconfirmed. However, to reduce potential impacts to the critical path on this project the tender process for archaeological investigations is being progressed at this time. For the avoidance of confusion, tendering parties are asked to tender at this stage for undertaking archaeological investigation works as an unconfirmed requirement. It has been recommended that a programme of archaeological evaluation be undertaken along the line of the track in order to assess levels of erosion on the route and to sample for the survival of prehistoric finds/features. The results of this evaluation should inform the repair methodology. It is anticipated that this work may be required between September 2015 and October 2015 (exact dates will be confirmed upon contract award). 1. b. Instructions for Submitting a Tender Return Please find the brief located in SECTION 2 for the proposed test-pitting evaluation that may be required. The brief includes all the required information about the proposed test pitting work. The brief gives instructions for submitting the required information with the quotation including but not limited to: a. A detailed evaluation proposal b. A description of the proposed methods of excavation and recording system c. An explanation of the sampling strategies to be used d. A projected timetable for work on the site. e. Details of the arrangements made for deposition of the finds and site archive f. Details of staff numbers and their relative experience g. Insurance requirements Please also fill out the itemised costs (Section 3) to give a quotation for the work Please return your completed tenders to The Peak District National Park Head of Finance Mr. P. Naylor at the following address: Philip.Naylor@peakdistrict.gov.uk Important: Do not return your tenders or Cc them to the sending address of this Please return your completed tenders to the address indicated above with the Subject Heading MFFP TENDER 21/08/15 Ref: PLP- CT by 12:00 Noon on Friday 4th September 2015.

2 SECTION 2: BRIEF FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION Proposal: repairs to bridleway Location: moorland belonging to Moscar House farm, between A57 and Derwent Edge, Bamford Derbyshire Grid Reference: SK (centred on) Geology: Millstone Grit Length/Area of proposal site: 1.5 km Land use and vegetation cover: SAC/SSSI Heather moorland Summary The project is part of a scheme of capital works being conducted under the HLS agreement for Moscar House Farm (CPH: 09/098/9005) The proposal is for the restoration of a bridleway which runs from Cutthroat Bridge on the A57 Snake Road and the Whinston Lee Tor path on Derwent Edge. A number of archaeological features have been recorded in the immediate vicinity of the proposed works, one of which, a Bronze Age cairnfield, is of Schedulable quality and significance. It has been recommended that a programme of archaeological evaluation be undertaken along the line of the track in order to assess levels of erosion on the route and to sample for the survival of prehistoric finds/features. The results of this evaluation should inform the repair methodology. 1.0 Archaeological background The land in question has been the subject of a range of archaeological surveys since the mid 1990s. This has included a rapid archaeological survey of the whole of the Moscar Farm holding by the Peak District National Park Authority Archaeology Service, in The most significant features recorded included an extensive Bronze Age cairnfield and prehistoric settlement comprising: cairns, linear stone banks, earth lynchets and possible stone banks. The original line of the 1771 turnpike road, known as the Mortimer s Road, and the remains of its associated bridge (Cutthroat Bridge) were also mapped. A further early route which now survives as a pair of parallel ditches, and which was part of the 1830s constructed Derwent Edge road, was also recorded. Subsequently, the part of the survey through which the bridleway runs, was recently re-checked with particular reference to the prehistoric settlement and cairnfield. The conclusion of this assessment was that the settlement area was more extensive than was mapped in the 1996 survey (Garton 2014). 1.2 Other features in the environs of those described above include peat cuttings, braided hollowways, trackways, lynchets and grouse butts.

3 2.0 Requirement for an evaluation 2.1 The proposed development may potentially damage or destroy any archaeological remains which may be present on the site. It has been recommended therefore that an archaeological evaluation should take place to obtain further information on the presence and preservation of any archaeological deposits. 2.2 The objectives of the evaluation should be to gather sufficient information to establish presence/absence, character, extent, state of preservation and date of any archaeological deposits within the areas of proposed development. 2.3 The evaluation should investigate the area indicated on the accompanying plan. 3.0 Evaluation Techniques The evaluation techniques chosen should be selected to cause the minimum amount of damage to areas of archaeological deposits and should comply with all health and safety regulations. It is envisaged that the following work would be required: 3.1 A programme of test pitting should be undertaken along the Cutthroat bridleway between the sharp left turn at its eastern end c.150 m from the A57 (approximately SK ) to the junction with the Whinstone Lee Tor path at the western end (SK ). This distance is approximately 1.5 km. 3.2 Fifteen 1m x 1m pits are to be excavated following the methodology used for the Whinstone Lee Tor test pitting project (Garton 2014). It expect that the sampling should focus on the eastern end of the route where the path braiding is widest, with fewer pits being excavated where the track is narrower and more stable. The location of the pits is to be agreed with the Senior Conservation Archaeologist of the NPA in advance of the commencement of works. 3.3 The test pits are to be excavated by hand. Following removal of the turf and topsoil, subsoil is to be hand trowelled in 5cm spits to at least 10cm depth, or if flint/chert is present, to two spits below the last recovered artefact. Excavated spoil will be sieved using a mesh of 10mm or smaller. See section 5 below for general guidance 4.0 Evaluation Proposal 4.1 A detailed evaluation proposal should be formulated by potential contractors and submitted to the Peak District National Park Senior Conservation Archaeologist for approval. The proposal should include: A description of the proposed methods of excavation and recording system An explanation of the sampling strategies to be used A projected timetable for work on the site Details of the arrangements made for deposition of the finds and site archive (see section 8 below). 4.2 The work shall be carried out by appropriately qualified and experienced staff; details of staff numbers and their relative experience should be included, plus their responsibilities in carrying out

4 the work. Staff C.V.s should be included (unless already supplied to Peak District National Park Cultural Heritage Team Manager in previous project specifications). 4.3 Contractors should be appropriately insured for nature of the work which is to be undertaken. 5.0 Excavation guidelines (general guidance) 5.1 All test pits are to be hand dug. 5.2 Any human remains which are excavated must initially be left in situ and, if removal is necessary, this must comply with the relevant Home Office regulations. 5.3 The actual areas of test pitting and any features of possible archaeological origin noted within the pits, should be accurately located on a site plan and recorded by photographs, summary scale drawings, and written descriptions. 5.4 The archaeological contractors will be responsible for locating any service pipes, cables etc., which may cross any of the trench lines, and for taking the necessary measures to avoid disturbing such services. 6.0 Site Monitoring 6.1 Reasonable prior notice (14 days) of the commencement of the evaluation is to be given to the Senior Conservation Archaeologist of the Peak District National Park Authority Cultural Heritage team. 6.2 With regard to site inspections, the contractor will liaise with the Senior Conservation Archaeologist in order that the general site stratigraphy can be assessed in the initial stage of trial trenching and/or so that the site can be inspected when field work is near to completion, but before any trenches have been backfilled. 7.0 Report 7.1 A report shall be produced to include background information, a summary of the works carried out, and a description and interpretation of the findings. The report should also include: A location plan showing all excavated areas with respect to nearby fixed structures and roads; Illustrations of all archaeological features with appropriately scaled hachured plans and sections; Specialist descriptions of artefacts or ecofacts; An indication of potential archaeological deposits not disturbed by the present development Data files relating to measured survey should be provided as both a print out and in an electronic format to be agreed with the Derbyshire Historic Environment Record. 7.2 Copies of the final report are to be deposited with the Peak District National Park Cultural Heritage team and with the Derbyshire Historic Environment Record. Reports should be provided in both paper and electronic form. 7.3 The report should not give an opinion on whether preservation or further investigation is considered appropriate, but should provide an interpretation of results, placing them in a local and regional context.

5 7.4 The results of the work will be published in the appropriate issue of Archaeology and Conservation in Derbyshire, and, if of regional or national significance, within an archaeological journal The Derbyshire Historic Environment Record supports the Online Access to Index of Archaeological Investigations (OASIS) project. The overall aim of the OASIS project is to provide an online index to the mass of archaeological grey literature that has been produced as a result of the advent of large-scale developer funded fieldwork. The archaeological contractor must therefore complete the online OASIS form at Contractors are advised to contact Derbyshire Historic Environment Record prior to completing the form. Once a report has become a public document by submission to or incorporation into the SMR, Derbyshire Historic Environment Record may place the information on a web-site. Please ensure that you and your client agree to this procedure in writing as part of the process of submitting the report to the case officer at Derbyshire Historic Environment Record. 8.0 Deposition of Archive and Finds 8.1 Upon completion of fieldwork samples shall be processed and all finds shall be cleaned, identified, assessed, spot-dated and properly stored. A field archive shall be compiled consisting of all primary written documents, plans, sections, photographs and electronic data (in a format to be agreed by the repository museum). 8.2 After agreement with the landowner, the field archive should be deposited with Western Park Museum, Sheffield. The archaeological contractor should contact Martha Lawrence, Curator of Archaeology, Western Park Museum, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TP tel: archaeology@museums-sheffield.org.uk 9.0 Standards 9.1 The above activities will be undertaken in line with the Institute of Field Archaeologists Standard and Guidance for archaeological field evaluation (revised October 2008) Sarah Whiteley PDNPA Senior Conservation Archaeologist July 2015 References: Bevan, B Upper Derwent Survey 1997 Moscar Farm (unpublished) Garton, D An archaeological walkover survey between Whinstone Lee Tor and Cutthroat Bridge (unpublished) Garton, D Derwent Edge test-pitting for Moors for the Future: Written Scheme of Investigation

6 Cutthroat bridleway location, with HER features depicted

7 SECTION 3: ITEMISED COSTS Please use the tables below to give costings for the proposed programme of archaeological evaluation. Please list all costs associated with the work as the requirements set out in the Brief. 3.1 General s and Preliminaries:- Work Required s Contractual Requirements No. Rates 's Cost (ex VAT) 3.1a Insurance of the Works 3.1b Insurance against damage to persons or property 3.1c Preparation of Method Statements and Operational Risk Assessments. 3.1d Specific Requirements Provision of welfare facilities for Contractors employees. Detail of facilities to be provided 3.1e Additional s: 3.1d Total carried forward to collection Total

8 3.2 Specifications: Archaeology Test Pitting work 3.2a 3.2b Contractual Requirement (as per specification) No. Rate Excavation of hand dug 1mx1m Test Pit 15 Backfilling of hand dug 1mx1m Test Pit (as required) 15 Cost (exvat) 3.2c Production of Report 1 Specific Requirements No. Rate Cost (exvat) 3.2d Additional s(as required): 3.2d Total carried forward to collection Total 3.3 Collections Total Contractual Requirements Cost (ex VAT) 3.3a General s and Preliminaries 3.3b Archaeology Test Pitting Work 3.3c Total Cost (ex VAT)