OS16. Metalworking Evidence and the Management of Archaeological Sites

This datasheet is aimed at field workers in the early stages of projects, when the possibility of finding the remains of metalworking activity should be considered. The value of forward planning is stressed; where metalworking has been a significant activity on a site, then postponing identification of the evidence until the post-excavation phase is unacceptable. The advice is sequenced for different stages of the project so that requirements can be considered in advance, training implemented and contact with specialists arranged. For further guidance on the contribution that can be made by an archaeometallurgical specialist, the English Heritage Guideline (Bayley et.al.2001) is recommended. Specific procedures are covered in more detail in other datasheets of this series and the reader is directed to these.