Archaeology & Heritage Surveys

Integrated Heritage Surveys for Planning and Compliance

View All Archaeology & Heritage Services

Working at the Intersection of Archaeology, Landscape, Ecology and Planning

At Arthian, we deliver comprehensive archaeology and heritage surveys that support planning submissions, Environmental Impact Assessments, and risk management across England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Our team evaluates both buried and built heritage, whether visibly apparent or obscured beneath modern landscapes, ensuring your project accounts for all relevant constraints and historic values from the outset. We work at the intersection of archaeology, landscape, ecology and planning policy. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures early identification of heritage risks, allowing mitigation strategies to be embedded into project design, saving time, cost and potential rework.

Whether your site contains registered assets or is undergoing preliminary screening, our surveys are proportionate, practical and compliant with national standards.

Survey Methods and Capabilities

We tailor each survey to reflect project needs, regulatory expectations and local context. Our consultants combine archival research, digital modelling and on-site inspections to provide clear, evidence-based outputs.

Our Services:

Our heritage and archaeological survey services include:

Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC)

Landscape Sensitivity Surveys

Built & Buried Heritage Surveys

Geophysical Surveys

Remote Sensing & Aerial Analysis

Field-Walking & Visual Inspection

3D Landscape Modelling & GIS Analysis

Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC)

We carry out Historic Landscape Characterisation to support strategic planning by identifying patterns of past land use and providing context for heritage assessments. Our service includes:

Categorisation of land by historic function and form: Identifying field systems, settlement patterns, industrial zones, and other landscape types.
Support for strategic planning: Informing decisions on land allocation, conservation priorities, and development sensitivity.
Presentation of findings: Delivering outputs as interactive maps, spatial models, or written reports tailored to project needs.
Integration with other heritage data: Aligning HLC results with archaeological, architectural, and environmental datasets.
Stakeholder engagement: Supporting planners, developers, and heritage bodies with accessible, evidence-based insights.

Landscape Sensitivity Surveys

We assess heritage landscape settings to guide planning and design in areas with historic character, considering visual and cultural sensitivities to protect valued landscapes while enabling sustainable development. Our service includes:

Assessment of designed landscapes and character areas: Evaluating the historical significance and visual coherence of parks, estates, and rural settings.
Collaboration with ecology and LVIA specialists: Working closely across disciplines to ensure integrated landscape and heritage assessments.
Identification of historic tree lines, hedgerows, and green corridors: Mapping and interpreting features that contribute to landscape character and biodiversity.
Support for planning and mitigation: Informing layout design, buffer zones, and planting schemes to minimise impact on sensitive areas.
Clear reporting and mapping outputs: Providing accessible documentation for planners, stakeholders, and design teams.

Built & Buried Heritage Surveys

We conduct detailed surveys to document architectural features and subsurface remains, supporting heritage management and ensuring historic assets are properly considered in development planning. Our service includes:

Walkover surveys: Systematic site inspections to identify visible heritage features and assess landscape context.
Photogrammetry and measured recording: Capturing high-resolution imagery and spatial data to document architectural details and site layouts.
Remote sensing and geophysical techniques: Detecting buried remains using non-intrusive methods such as magnetometry and ground-penetrating radar.
Assessment of setting and significance: Evaluating how heritage assets relate to their surroundings and determining their cultural value.
Planning-ready outputs: Providing clear, mapped records and interpretive reports to support planning applications and heritage statements.

Geophysical Surveys

We use geophysical survey techniques to map subsurface archaeological features without disturbance, guiding further investigation and planning, especially in undeveloped or agricultural areas. Our service includes:

Magnetometry: Detecting variations in the earth’s magnetic field caused by buried structures, pits, or ditches.
Resistivity surveys: Measuring soil resistance to identify features such as walls, foundations, or voids.
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR): Producing detailed subsurface images to locate and assess buried remains.
Non-intrusive site assessment: Offering a rapid and cost-effective way to evaluate archaeological potential.
Integration with wider investigations: Supporting desk-based assessments, trial trenching, and mitigation planning.

Remote Sensing & Aerial Analysis

We use remote sensing and aerial data to detect buried remains and historic landforms, supporting early archaeological assessments and guiding further investigation and planning. Our service includes:

LiDAR dataset analysis: Identifying microtopographical changes that may indicate archaeological features or historic land use.
Aerial photography review: Examining current and historic imagery to detect cropmarks, earthworks, and structural remains.
Historic mapping comparison: Cross-referencing old maps with modern data to locate lost or altered heritage assets.
Digital terrain model (DTM) interpretation: Understanding landscape evolution and identifying potential archaeological hotspots.
Integration with GIS and field surveys: Supporting spatial analysis and ground-truthing to refine site understanding.

Field-Walking & Visual Inspection

We carry out rapid site assessments to identify surface artefacts and ground features early in a project, helping highlight areas of archaeological interest and guide further investigation. Our service includes:

Systematic field-walking: Traversing sites to collect and record visible artefacts such as pottery, flint, or building materials.
Visual inspection of ground features: Identifying earthworks, cropmarks, and other surface indicators of buried archaeology.
Rapid heritage screening: Providing quick, cost-effective insights to inform planning and mitigation strategies.
Integration with desk-based and remote sensing data: Enhancing interpretation through cross-referencing with existing records and aerial imagery.
Planning-ready reporting: Documenting findings in a format suitable for submission to heritage bodies and planning authorities.

3D Landscape Modelling & GIS Analysis

We use 3D landscape modelling and GIS analysis to visualise heritage constraints and integrate archaeological data into environmental assessments, supporting planning, impact evaluation and stakeholder engagement. Our service includes:

Creation of 3D terrain models: Visualising topography, landforms, and archaeological features to support site interpretation.
Integration of heritage datasets: Combining archaeological records, survey results, and remote sensing data within GIS platforms.
Constraint mapping: Identifying areas of archaeological sensitivity to inform design and mitigation strategies.
Support for environmental assessments: Embedding heritage data into broader EIA workflows and spatial planning tools.
Interactive visual outputs: Producing maps and models for use in reports, consultations, and planning submissions.

Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC)

We carry out Historic Landscape Characterisation to support strategic planning by identifying patterns of past land use and providing context for heritage assessments. Our service includes:

Categorisation of land by historic function and form: Identifying field systems, settlement patterns, industrial zones, and other landscape types.
Support for strategic planning: Informing decisions on land allocation, conservation priorities, and development sensitivity.
Presentation of findings: Delivering outputs as interactive maps, spatial models, or written reports tailored to project needs.
Integration with other heritage data: Aligning HLC results with archaeological, architectural, and environmental datasets.
Stakeholder engagement: Supporting planners, developers, and heritage bodies with accessible, evidence-based insights.

Landscape Sensitivity Surveys

Assessment of designed landscapes and character areas: Evaluating the historical significance and visual coherence of parks, estates, and rural settings.
Collaboration with ecology and LVIA specialists: Working closely across disciplines to ensure integrated landscape and heritage assessments.
Identification of historic tree lines, hedgerows, and green corridors: Mapping and interpreting features that contribute to landscape character and biodiversity.
Support for planning and mitigation: Informing layout design, buffer zones, and planting schemes to minimise impact on sensitive areas.
Clear reporting and mapping outputs: Providing accessible documentation for planners, stakeholders, and design teams.

Built & Buried Heritage Surveys

Walkover surveys: Systematic site inspections to identify visible heritage features and assess landscape context.
Photogrammetry and measured recording: Capturing high-resolution imagery and spatial data to document architectural details and site layouts.
Remote sensing and geophysical techniques: Detecting buried remains using non-intrusive methods such as magnetometry and ground-penetrating radar.
Assessment of setting and significance: Evaluating how heritage assets relate to their surroundings and determining their cultural value.
Planning-ready outputs: Providing clear, mapped records and interpretive reports to support planning applications and heritage statements.

Geophysical Surveys

Magnetometry: Detecting variations in the earth’s magnetic field caused by buried structures, pits, or ditches.
Resistivity surveys: Measuring soil resistance to identify features such as walls, foundations, or voids.
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR): Producing detailed subsurface images to locate and assess buried remains.
Non-intrusive site assessment: Offering a rapid and cost-effective way to evaluate archaeological potential.
Integration with wider investigations: Supporting desk-based assessments, trial trenching, and mitigation planning.

Remote Sensing & Aerial Analysis

LiDAR dataset analysis: Identifying microtopographical changes that may indicate archaeological features or historic land use.
Aerial photography review: Examining current and historic imagery to detect cropmarks, earthworks, and structural remains.
Historic mapping comparison: Cross-referencing old maps with modern data to locate lost or altered heritage assets.
Digital terrain model (DTM) interpretation: Understanding landscape evolution and identifying potential archaeological hotspots.
Integration with GIS and field surveys: Supporting spatial analysis and ground-truthing to refine site understanding.

Field-Walking & Visual Inspection

Systematic field-walking: Traversing sites to collect and record visible artefacts such as pottery, flint, or building materials.
Visual inspection of ground features: Identifying earthworks, cropmarks, and other surface indicators of buried archaeology.
Rapid heritage screening: Providing quick, cost-effective insights to inform planning and mitigation strategies.
Integration with desk-based and remote sensing data: Enhancing interpretation through cross-referencing with existing records and aerial imagery.
Planning-ready reporting: Documenting findings in a format suitable for submission to heritage bodies and planning authorities.

3D Landscape Modelling & GIS Analysis

Creation of 3D terrain models: Visualising topography, landforms, and archaeological features to support site interpretation.
Integration of heritage datasets: Combining archaeological records, survey results, and remote sensing data within GIS platforms.
Constraint mapping: Identifying areas of archaeological sensitivity to inform design and mitigation strategies.
Support for environmental assessments: Embedding heritage data into broader EIA workflows and spatial planning tools.
Interactive visual outputs: Producing maps and models for use in reports, consultations, and planning submissions.

Why Choose Arthian's Archaeological & Heritage team?

Full-spectrum heritage survey services across UK and Ireland, with a proven track record of supporting complex infrastructure and rural developments

Integration

Fully integrated with geotechnical, hydrological, and ecological disciplines.

Our Experience

National experience with regional insight and regulatory familiarity.

Our Understanding

Deep understanding of planning, infrastructure, and environmental interfaces.

Results Driven

Commitment to technical rigour, clear communication, and long-term outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do your surveys cover both built and buried heritage?

Yes—we assess the full spectrum of heritage assets, including buildings, landscapes, archaeological sites and subsurface remains, adapting methods accordingly.

When is a heritage or archaeological survey required?

Surveys may be triggered by a site’s historic designation, planning conditions, or pre-application consultation. We offer screening advice to determine necessity and scope.

Is geophysical surveying always necessary?

Not always. Geophysical methods are used when subsurface remains are suspected or known. We help determine if they’re appropriate based on site conditions and planning requirements.

Can you help align survey outputs with EIA or LVIA chapters?

Absolutely. Our reports are formatted to integrate with wider environmental assessments and planning documentation, including graphics for public consultation.

Get in Touch

We’d love to hear from you – whether you have a question, a project in mind, want to explore job opportunities, or just want to say hello.

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Archaeology & Heritage Surveys

Working at the Intersection of Archaeology, Landscape, Ecology and Planning

Survey Methods and Capabilities

Our Services:

Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC)

Landscape Sensitivity Surveys

Built & Buried Heritage Surveys

Geophysical Surveys

Remote Sensing & Aerial Analysis

Field-Walking & Visual Inspection

3D Landscape Modelling & GIS Analysis

Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC)

Landscape Sensitivity Surveys

Built & Buried Heritage Surveys

Geophysical Surveys

Remote Sensing & Aerial Analysis

Field-Walking & Visual Inspection

3D Landscape Modelling & GIS Analysis

Why Choose Arthian's Archaeological & Heritage team?

Integration

Our Experience

Our Understanding

Results Driven

Frequently Asked Questions

Do your surveys cover both built and buried heritage?

When is a heritage or archaeological survey required?

Is geophysical surveying always necessary?

Can you help align survey outputs with EIA or LVIA chapters?

Get in Touch