Our Research


Our expertise and focus is on the archaeology of the East Midlands, with our staff possessing a large amount of archaeological experience in this region.

We believe the best way to make real advances in the overall understanding of an area is to specialise in that area; and to try to maintain a continuity of knowledge and experience in the staff working in that area.

Such a commitment allows Mercian Archaeological Services CIC to set a number of long term research goals which could not be addressed within the scope of a single project.

Currently, understanding the post-Roman ceramic sequence and understanding medieval settlement and landscape development within our area of interest are paramount amongst these goals. We are also at the fore-front of research into the Archaeology of Sherwood Forest, and run the Sherwood Forest Archaeology Project.

We also have expertise in post excavation analysis, particularly finds processing and analysis.

Professional Standards


Mercian Archaeological Services CIC is an Affiliate Member of the Council for British Archaeology.

We  undertake to abide by all relevant professional archaeological codes of practice and standards and guidance, including those of the IFA and English Heritage.

We are committed to the full dissemination of the results of all our work, and to the lodging of the information with the relevant repositories.

Full publication of our work is essential and we consider it a priority to publish everything promptly; both for an academic audience but also in more accessible formats such as the Internet, magazines, leaflets, and newspaper articles in order to ensure the widest possible dissemination.

Mercian never undertake archaeological works without reporting to the required levels, and believe that reporting is a fundamental requirement of the profession. Reports are one of the ways in which a company’s ethos and professionalism can be judged and Mercian always strive to produce reports of the highest standard in order to meet our aim of producing quality research.  







What is a CIC?

A community interest company (CIC) is a new type of company introduced by the United Kingdom government in 2005 under the Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004, designed for social enterprises that want to use their profits and assets for the public good.

Community Interest Companies (known as C.I.C.’s) are one of the fastest growing community oriented enterprise movements in the country. Roughly 1 in every 200 new companies last year was a CIC, and as of August 2014 there are almost 10,000 CICs on the Regulators register.

CICs can vary from small ‘kitchen table’ type organisations, to multimillion pound turnover organisations employing thousands of people.  They can be set up as both Company Limited by Guarantee and Company Limited by Shares, and are often described as Mutuals or Social Enterprise.

Co-operatives can hold the status and it is feasible for a CIC to make an IPO and hold PLC status. It also provides  individuals with a simple legal structure to engage with their chosen community issue.

The CIC legislation was introduced as a legal form under the Companies Act 2006 and subject to that Act and company law generally.

The primary core features of any company holding CIC status are two fold;

- Assets owned by the company are held in an asset lock which secures those assets to applications for the good use of community.

- Limitations applied to dividend and interest payments made to shareholders and financiers ensure a profit can be made, but the primary focus remains on achieving benefit for the community

Both of these features are regulated by the Community Interest Company Regulator via an annual report, known as the CIC34, which is submitted to the Regulators office on an annual basis. The Community Interest Company Regulator’s office is a part of Companies House and governed by The Department for Business, Innovation and Skill – BIS.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_interest_company

Mercian Archaeological Services CIC are a private company, and we operate as a private entity, but we are founded on a community basis.

The company and its work is privately owned, but we seek to benefit the community and to provide community opportunities to people in-line with our enrolment as a Community Interest Company.

Mercian are not a public body, or a charity, but as a CIC we do have a community aspect that, and our status has been awarded due to the community focus of our work.











Re-investment of profit

As a Community Interest Company we re-invest some of the profits we may make to further our mission, particularly to aid project development and provide training opportunities.

Community Involvement

Mercian Archaeological Services CIC are a Community Archaeology company and as such we seek to involve the community in as many aspects of our work as possible.

It is also to conduct archaeological research within the East Midlands which provides genuine benefit to local communities; helping them to engage with, explore and understand their heritage.

We also provide training and education; developing transferable skills useful across society, and helping personal development and well-being.

Projects are designed to foster relationships within and between communities.

We believe it is critical that our research benefits the wider archaeological community.

We therefore seek to undertake projects that address key research questions highlighted as priorities by the regional and national archaeological community.

Our work is driven by a strong focus towards involving volunteers from local communities at all stages (where appropriate) of the work; and sharing our knowledge with them.

Our staff have many years of professional archaeological experience undertaking, supervising and directing Community Archaeology projects.

Mercian are a company of archaeologists who specialise in the archaeology of the region, providing the excellent knowledge and skills to our customers.









About Us, Meet the Team, Contact Info, & Privacy Policy

About
We are a Community Interest Company, and an independent Research company, who provide archaeological services, and specialise in Community Archaeology, Public Involvement, and Training.

Our mission is to create a new way of undertaking sustainable archaeological research in the 21st century.

Community Archaeology





We have extensive experience of the archaeology of the region, and our staff have a wide range of different but complimentary skill sets.

This allows Mercian Archaeological Services CIC to successfully approach any form of community archaeological project including:

Community Archaeology Derbyshire community archaeology east midlands

Below are listed details of some of the Services we offer.
Please contact us for further information and to discuss anything not on the list.


We also provide commercial Archaeological watching briefs and Desk Based Assessments as part of the Planning System at very competitive rates.


Please contact us at info@mercian-as.co.uk for more details and prices.



Topographic Survey


Specialist Finds Analysis and Reporting


Excavation


Test-Pitting


Level 1 Walkover Survey & LiDAR Groundtruthing


Geophysical Survey

3

4

5

6


Historic Mapping & Documentary Research

11


Museum archive consultancy


Geographic Information Systems (GIS)


Photogrammetry, LiDAR processing, Astronomical surveys

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)






Magnetometer Survey






Resistance Survey



Heritage Interpretation


8

9

10

More information about our Services:




As a streamlined Community Archaeology company, we are not burdened with the overheads associated with larger commercial companies. This has enables us to pass on cost savings to our customers and bring in added value by working with specialists.


Mercian are community archaeology company set up to undertake research work for and alongside the community. We are not a commercial archaeological company set up to work in the planning system who undertake community work alongside their main commitment to commercial work. As such our entire ethos and working practices are designed to provide community groups with the best service and value, tailored to the community archaeology field.


We bring an experienced team with a very strong community focus and a passion for sharing their knowledge and experience


A commitment to providing training and skills development and involving the community in all aspects and stages of the archaeological process


A strong research-based approach to archaeology, tying in with the priorities set out in regional and national research agendas


Extensive links with top national and regional experts and specialists, ensuring the right people are always on hand to provide the most accurate advice and interpretation of the archaeology


Firm commitment to prompt reporting of the results of the work to the client and local Historic Environment Record, along with a commitment to publishing all work, fully supported by specialist finds analysis


As a Community Archaeology company, rather than a commercial archaeology company, we specialise in providing training and learning opportunities to volunteers and villagers alike.


As a Community Interest Company our focus is on providing community opportunities and training, rather than being more focused on profit and commercial work.


As we are all experienced staff, we have excellent knowledge of local pottery and finds and can help you identify artefacts as they come out of the ground, providing a better and fuller experience for everyone involved.


We will always have our most experienced and knowledgeable staff on-site, with years of experience of local archaeology, and of providing community archaeology, and will never leave you with junior staff.


As a community archaeology company, we will always be on-hand to supervise volunteers, and never leave volunteers unattended.


As a community archaeology company, we will never just dig while volunteers and villagers watch. This is your project, and you will be involved in all processes throughout the project.


It is essential to have the right team in place to deliver a community focused project designed around learning and involvement, but also to ensure the maximum level of information retrieval from the archaeological investigations and to ensure best value for money.


At Mercian we believe that to undertake the best possible community archaeology project a client would benefit most from employing a specialist community archaeology provider rather than a company who undertakes community archaeology as a small part of its other commercial and planning related archaeological projects. Most archaeology providers are commercial companies set up to deliver archaeological mitigation in the planning system. In contrast Mercian is a specialist community archaeology provider, and all the Mercian core staff provided to the project are specialist community archaeologists with many years’ experience in the local area.


In addition to our core staff of highly experienced field archaeologists, our extensive links with top national and regional specialists and experts mean you can be sure we always have prompt access to the right advice and expertise in order to make the right decisions and to help us to draw the correct conclusions, both in the field and during post excavation analysis and reporting, also avoiding potentially costly bad decisions such as using incorrect sampling strategies or sending unsuitable samples for scientific dating.


At Mercian we have a large amount of experience in archaeological excavation including open area excavation and trial trenching methods.

All our staff are highly skilled archaeologists and communicators, and our excavations are designed around Community Archaeology, Public Involvement, Training, and Research.

Please have a look at our Projects page for examples, and also our Sherwood Forest Archaeology Project Page.

Mercian operate to the highest possible standards following and often surpassing Best Practice Guidance for Research Archaeology.

Please see the guidance of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists:


https://www.archaeologists.net/sites/default/files/CIfAS&GExcavation_1.pdf




Plough-soil Test-Pittings

12

A fantastic option for combining community archaeology with high level research is Plough-soil test-pitting. Mercian have a large amount of experience in delivering this method and it has proven both a tremendous success in terms of introducing dozens of people to archaeology, and also as a method for research.

Mercian recommend plough-soil test pits as a potential method for investigating the distribution of artefacts in the plough-soil. This method can therefore be utilised in areas of current ploughing, and areas of pasture or grassland which was formerly subject to ploughing.

At the Discover King John’s Palace project in 2015, 120+ people under supervision from Mercian were able to excavate over the course of 3 weeks using this method. The results have helped to demonstrate the extent and date of occupation at the medieval royal hunting complex of King John’s Palace in Sherwood Forest.



Fieldwalking

14

At Mercian we offer a full topographic survey solution utilising as required a combination of Differential Geographical Positioning System (DGPS), Robotic EDM Total Station, Reflector & Reflector-less EDM Total Station, and dumpy level.

We generally undertake a combination of Objective and Subjective survey techniques to create 3-Dimensional Digital Terrain Models (DTM) and 2-Dimensional Hachure Plan maps.

Our surveys are however tailored to your individual needs, budget, and in response to survey logistics.

Mercian and our staff have undertaken topographic survey on sites ranging from castles, to former palaces, deserted villages, and even in the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve.

The examples to the left show a 2D hachure plan (top right) and 3D terrain model (bottom left) of a castle site. A Robotic Total Station in action (top left) and a Total Station being demonstrated to a member of the public (bottom right).

In archaeological fieldwalking, a recently ploughed field is walked in either grids or on lines (transects) to give systematic coverage of the ground surface.

The locations of archaeological finds are recorded, and the artefacts are either identified and recorded in the field and left as they are (non-collection) or collected for further analysis and processing (collection).

The locations of the finds is then plotted in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to help determine any distribution patterns in the data.

This technique is very useful for detecting archaeological hotspots, and for using alongside other




Mercian have a large body of experience in Archaeological Test-pitting. This technique is particularly good for Community Archaeology Projects, usually allowing a mix of community volunteers and local property owners to come together to research their heritage.

Test Pits are 1 metre by 1m Metre square and are dug in the same way as any other excavation. Mercian always dig by context, but also combine this with digging by spit with in contexts to produce the highest quality of results. All Test-pits are recorded, drawn and photographed, and each test-pits is fully supervised by a member of Mercian staff. We do not recommend that test pits are dug without supervision.

Archaeological excavation is an invasive method, and we believe that all archaeology should be undertaken by a professional archaeologist or under the supervision of a professional archaeologist.

Mercian will not leave you to dig dozens of pits and then come along later to have a look at what has been found, we recommend against this method, and would recommend caution when this method is offered to groups by other companies. Test pits must be excavated in the correct way, and recorded to the correct level. When this is done test pits are a fantastic tool, especially in the studying of settlement development.

At Mercian we offer a full suite of Archaeological Geophysics techniques. These methods can help in interpreting buried features such as foundations, pits, ditches, kilns and more…

At Mercian we can provide a large range of specialist services beyond the day to day techniques usually seen in Archaeology. We have skills in a number of techniques including:

Photogrammetry. This is the science of making measurements from photographs, especially for recovering the exact positions of surface points.

It can be used to create highly detailed and accurate elevation drawings and reconstructions as seen in the image left top (the late 12th century painted arcade  of St Mary’s Church Norton-Cuckney - see Publications page) enabling the detailed recording of remains, and interpretative reconstructions to be constructed.

It can also be used to create accurate 3D computer models of excavations and standing remains of buildings (see King John’s Palace image bottom left).

Mercian are also skilled in Astronomical observation, horizon archaeology and the used of computer modelling to calculate historical alignments and orientations in buildings and other monuments.

Finds processing and analysis is a highly skilled specialism and takes years of dedicated study and experience to undertake properly.

All finds from excavation, fieldwalking or any other form of archaeological work should be quantified and recorded in line with archaeological best practice.

It is essential that this is done by an appropriately skilled professional.

Mercian are skilled in finds processing and analysis. David Budge, Mercian’s Director and finds Specialist undertakes analysis of artefacts recovered by Mercian.

David’s skills are held in high regard, and he also writes specialist finds reports on behalf of other archaeological units.

Please contact Mercian if you have any finds that you would like processing or identifying.

We also (where necessary) call on a large network of other specialists to ensure that the maximum knowledge is gained from all archaeological works.



Historical maps are an invaluable resource for understanding past landscapes. Their analysis should form the back-drop to any investigation of a site or landscape, and at Mercian we specialise e in Landscape Archaeology including the recreation of past landscapes and interpreting historic settlement forms and settlement development.

Historic documents including parish records and archival material is also a hive of information on past activities.

Mercian are skilled in working at the local and national archives to undertake research, working with primary, secondary and published sources. We can work with published transcribed Latin sources, micro-fiches, parish records  genealogical records and much more.


More info coming soon.

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage, and present spatial or geographic data.

At Mercian we use GIS for many things including creating maps, analysing landscapes, understanding archaeological sites, creating 3D models, viewshed analysis, presenting survey data and more.

We are highly skilled in ArcGIS, MapInfo and QGIS software.

GIS is a great way to integrate data from projects and can be used to analyse that data as well as present it in the form of maps for publication.

The images to the left include GIS being used in building analysis, surveying, map work, and the displaying of geophysical survey data.

More info coming soon.

Level 1 Walkover survey is a form of preliminary archeological ground reconnaissance survey. It is particularly useful in areas of woodland, and is method of searching for and recording archaeological remains that were either previously unknown or unrecorded.

At Mercian for Level One Survey we record earthworks with GPS coordinates, photographic record, descriptions, measurements, comments, interpretation etc. These criteria can be added to to meet requirements.

Light Detection and Ranging known as LiDAR measures distance to a target by illuminating the target with pulsed laser light and measuring the reflected pulses with a sensor. In Archaeology this method is undertaken most frequently by aeroplane. It is of great use to archaeologists as it is possible to remove (to some extent) vegetation and create a digital terrain model (DTM) of the ground  surface. In this form it enables archaeologist to look for archaeological features on a computer across whole landscapes. At Mercian we are experienced in processing and analysing LiDAR data sets for archaeological remains. We are also experienced in archaeological field survey or ground-truthing of the these features.

The Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve Archaeology Survey is a long-term project which combines Level One walkover survey and LiDAR ground-truthing: see the SFNNR Archaeology Survey page for more details.


Links:

-––––––––––––––––-–––––-

About Mercian

–--------------------------------

Our Research

---------------------------------

Professional Standards

–-------------------------------

What is a CIC?

---------------------------------

Re-investment of Profit

---------------------------------

Community Engagement

---------------------------------

Services

---------------------------------

Meet the Team

–––––––––––––––––––––––

David

–––––––––––––––––––––––

Sean

––––––––––––––––––––––-

Andy

––––––––––––––––––––––-

Sue

––––––––––––––––––––––-

James

––––––––––––––––––––––-

Contact Us

—-------------------------------

Join Our Mailing List

—-------------------------------

Privacy Policy

—-------------------------------

Mercian Archaeological Services CIC is a Private Company Limited by Guarantee.

Mercian is founded on a community focused ethos and entirely the property of its Directors.

We are based in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire.


Sherwood Forest Office:

Ransom Hall South
Ransom Wood Business Park
Mansfield
Nottinghamshire
NG21 0HJ


Registered Office:

Staffordshire House Beechdale Road
Nottingham
NG8 3FH


Registered Business No. 08347842.

We also have offices in Nottingham, Derby and Lincoln.








Services

Home About Us & Contact Projects Publications Community Arch Testimonials

Mercian publish interims of all their work annually in the Transactions of the Thoroton Society Short Reports.

Reports for clients are published promptly in line with contractual agreements for delivery.

For long term self funded research projects; such ongoing research projects at King John’s Palace in Sherwood Forest http://www.mercian-as.co.uk/kjp_sfap.html - interims are published in the annual Transactions of the Thoroton Society Short Reports, and appear where possible on Mercian’s publication pages.

Full reports for long term projects are published at the end of the research projects in line with the standards and guidance of the Institute for Archaeologists.

Mercian Archaeological Services CIC are fully insured for all work undertaken; including Public Liability, Employers Liability and Professional Indemnity.

Staff are qualified Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate holders.

All Mercian staff have up to date DBS certificates





At Mercian Archaeological Services CIC, we have brought together some of the most experienced and talented community archaeologists in the region to provide the best heritage and educational opportunities available.

We are a dedicated and skilled team of archaeologists with knowledge based in the local area, who are passionate about researching and promoting the heritage of the region.

The team also has skills in education, outreach, training, project management, funded project delivery, community archaeology, and working with people of all ages and from all walks of life.



Meet the Team

 


The Team:

–––––––––––––––––-

David

–––––––––––––––––-

Sean

–––––––––––––––––-

Andy

–––––––––––––––––
Sue

–––––––––––––––––-



Scroll down or click on the names on the left to meet the team.


















The Marsh Archaeology Awards are annual awards, supported by the Marsh Christian Trust, which celebrate excellence in community archaeology and recognise the passion and dedication of the many people working so hard to protect and understand British Archaeology. http://new.archaeologyuk.org/marsh-archaeology-awards-2017

The nomination is listed in the November-December 2017 edition of The British Archaeology Magazine with the following: "Sue Rodgers has been leading the Newark & District branch of the YAC [Young Archaeologists' Club] since 2001, providing hundreds of young people from Nottinghamshire with their first taste of archaeology. Over the years Sue has led the branch in a range of activities, including building two iron age roundhouses and then burning them down and also building and burning down a Viking longship - enabling the YAC members to explore the archaeological record left behind! She has also been involved in various community archaeology projects in the area, and delivers education and outreach activities with Mercian Archaeology" (p 63).

Alongside her nomination for the above award Sue has also been made an 'Honorary Member' of the Council for British Archaeology a special honour shared with only 9 other people in the country.

Before coming to Mercian Sue worked for Nottinghamshire County Council as Community Conservation Projects Manager, and Community Archaeologist; running Nottinghamshire County Council’s Community Archaeology team.

In this role she managed staff in delivering a variety of conservation and archaeology projects throughout the county, including delivery of the Trent Vale Heritage Lottery Funded Landscape Partnership Scheme.

Sue has worked for Newark Museums Service for 7 years.  Her various diverse roles there have included Museum Assistant, and working on exhibitions, collections, education and outreach.

Sue is also Leader of Newark & District Young Archaeologists Club since setting it up in 2001.

Under Sue’s leadership the Young archaeology Club have built replica Iron Age huts, an Anderson Shelter and a Viking long ship, and taken part in the ONE8 Festival at Nottingham Castle.

Under Sue’s direction the Young Archaeology Clubs teenage members organised a Heritage Lottery Funded ‘Young Roots’ project for a Civil War Re-enactment at Southwell Racecourse.

Sue studied Archaeology at the University of Nottingham and has a Certificate of Higher Education in Archaeology. She also has an A-Level in Archaeology from Newark and Sherwood College.

Sue works with the elderly offering reminiscence sessions, oral histories and various other workshops.

She has delivered the Oral History project for Newark & Sherwood District Council – Sconce and Devon Park 2012.

She also delivers craft activities on a freelance basis for Newark & Sherwood Play Support Group and Nottingham University.

Sue’s experience of delivering successful Heritage Lottery Funded Projects enables Mercian to offer a full and comprehensive community heritage, and education package for groups developing projects.

David Budge

Company Director,
Post-Roman Ceramics Specialist
Archaeologist and Finds Specialist

Sean Crossley MA, PGDip, BSc (Hons).

Company Director and Archaeologist

Sean started off in archaeology as a mature student and has worked in the profession  since the late 1990s.

He has large amounts of experience of archaeological fieldwork, having worked for a variety of commercial units and an archaeological consultancy, around the East Midlands and UK including London.

Sean has also worked as a Freelance Archaeological Consultant prior to becoming a Director with Mercian.

Through this work he has gained large experience of urban and rural sites working with complex stratigraphy and sites from all periods.

Sean is responsible for Mercian’s Health and Safety (including Risk Assessments) and site logistics, and brings with him a large amount of business experience.




He is Mercian’s publications editor.

Sean has experience of community archaeology; leading excavation, training, and supervising volunteers.

He has also been involved himself as a volunteer on projects around the region as well as having experience of excavation overseas, and has acted as Archaeological Consultant to various community and archaeology groups.

He has an interest in the Roman period and Roman Archaeology, and also has a particular interest in the Archaeology of Yorkshire.

Alongside his archaeological work Sean has been actively involved in the work of Nottingham Dyslexic Support having served as chairman and as a committee member for many years.




Andy Gaunt, MA, BSc (Hons), CertHE, FGS.

Company Director and Archaeologist
Landscape Archaeology, GIS, Survey and Geomatics

Andy’s main specialism is Landscape Archaeology.

As a Landscape Archaeologist Andy combines knowledge from a wide spectrum of disciplines including philosophy, art, music, literature, geology, historical and cultural geography, skyscape archaeology, archaeoastronomy, anthropology, toponomics, and more, to study the human experience of landscapes over time, and the impact of these elements on landscapes and the way they developed.

He is particularly interested in how human thought and the major movements in human culture have shaped landscapes over time. From the medieval desires of kings, through the Renaissance, Enlightenment, and Romantic eras,  into modern times, and the impacts of industry, modern forestry and wars.

He is recognised for his knowledge of Sherwood Forest, its landscape, people and medieval administration and has research interests in medieval archaeology, the medieval landscape; settlement, elite and designed landscapes, medieval forests, parkland and hunting landscapes, medieval hunting, medieval romance literature and chivalry, and the medieval legends of Robin Hood. He has spent many years investigating the settlement and landscape of Clipstone and Sherwood Forest in the Medieval period. Notably, he identified medieval Clipstone as a designed hunting and Arthurian romance landscape, and is also undertaking research into the development of the Sherwood Forest landscape as a whole from prehistory to modern times.



As a landscape archaeologist he is responsible for Mercian’s geophysical survey, topographic survey, fieldwork and training, and geographic information systems (GIS), LiDAR analysis, research and training.

Alongside his archaeology qualifications and Masters Degree in Landscape Archaeology, GIS and Virtual Environments, he has an Honours Degree in Geology and Geography (BSc), and is an elected Fellow of the Geological Society of London (FGS).

He regularly talks and presents on archaeology to local groups and at conferences, and is passionate about teaching and education.

He has made a number of TV appearances as an expert including on Channel Four, Channel Five, ARTE (France & Germany), BBC Breakfast, BBC East Midlands Today, and NottsTV.

He recently appeared in the Channel 5 series “Digging up Britain’s Past”, where he was interviewed about the archaeology of King John’s Palace, and the history and landscape of Sherwood Forest. He has also acted as a consultant to Channel Four’s ‘Walking Through History’ offering expert advise and location knowledge, as well as being interviewed by Tony Robinson at King John’s Palace and the Parliament Oak.

He has acted as an independent site consultant to Channel Four’s Time Team at King John’s Palace, in Sherwood Forest.3

He has also been interviewed a number of times on BBC Radio 4 including the ‘Making History’, and ‘You and Yours” shows, and provided consultancy for BBC Radio 3.

He has been interviewed by the national and international press including the Guardian newspaper, and the New York Observer, and the archaeological press including Current Archaeology, Heritage Daily, and Archaeology Magazine (USA).

He has also provided expert comment and interview on local radio including: Radio Nottingham, Radio Leicester, and local press including The Nottingham Post, Mansfield Chad Newspaper, and the Sherwood Life Magazine.



[Back to team]

Sean Crossley Archaeologist Sue Rodgers Education and Outreach Officer

Sue Rodgers (Honorary Member of Council for British Archaeology, Nominee for Community Archaeologist of the year 2017.)

Education and Outreach


Sue’s experience of delivering successful Heritage Lottery Funded Projects enables Mercian to offer a full and comprehensive community heritage and education package for groups developing projects.

She also provides Mercian’s education and outreach to schools.

Over the last 5 years she has devised and delivered over 200 schools workshops on a variety of themes – introduction to archaeology, facial reconstruction, bottles, food thru the ages, dinosaurs, Romans.

Sue has has been nominated for "The Community Archaeologist of the Year Award" for the Council for British Archaeology (CBA). The Marsh Archaeology Awards are 'for an individual who has inspired others to share their love of archaeology'.

david@mercian-as.co.uk

David Budge Community Archaeology Mercian Archaeological Services CIC Andy Gaunt Archaeologist


Click here to see Andy’s Publications list

David is Mercian’s finds expert; in charge of Mercian’s post-excavation finds processing.  

David is a Post-Roman Ceramics finds specialist, and council member of the Medieval Pottery Research Group.

He is also well known for his knowledge of lithics (worked flint and other types of stone). He is our finds ‘expert in the field’. With an excellent all-round knowledge of archaeological artefacts.

He writes all of Mercian’s finds reports and writes specialist Finds reports for other Archaeological Units and providers.

David trains delegates in all aspects of finds processing including archaeological finds drawing, finds identification, labelling, sorting, and quantification techniques. He runs workshops on prehistoric flint knapping techniques and identifying worked flint for archaeologists.

He has been interested in archaeology from a young age, and got his first experience of excavation with the Derbyshire Archaeological Society as a volunteer. He has worked as a professional archaeologist since the late 1990s. During this time he worked for a variety of commercial units and with the archaeology section of Nottinghamshire County Council. He was also assistant Historic Environment Record Officer for Nottinghamshire.

David has written a book on Stone Age Nottinghamshire (with a chapter on the Neolithic by Dr Chris Robinson) and published a variety of papers in archaeological journals.

His skills have been utilised by various museums (including Nottingham University Museum and Mansfield Museum) and groups to work with artefact collections.




andy@mercian-as.co.uk


sean@mercian-as.co.uk


sue@mercian-as.co.uk

davidbudge

[Back to team]

[Back to team]

suerodgers

andygaunt

seancrossley

Talks for Groups Archaeological Experiences Field Schools & Training Events Calendar Sherwood Forest Members Area





James Smalley, MA, BA

Archaeological Site Assistant

James has a long history of working alongside Mercian, having been a regular volunteer with with us since the Discover King John’s Palace Project back in 2015 when he helped deliver session on archaeology to school children. Working with Sue Rodgers, James aided in her delivery of Young Archaeologist Club session on a variety of topics.  


James studied at the University of York, and has a bachelors’ degree in Archaeology and a master’s degree in Field Archaeology. His Masters Thesis focused on the management of the archaeological resource in working woodlands.


He is an experienced archaeological surveyor, undertaking Level Two topographic surveys with Total Station and GPS, as well as Level One Survey as art of the Sherwood Forest Archaeological Project.


He has gained experience on many excavations and projects with Mercian, and has also excavated the remains of prehistoric settlements in Romania, in the cities of Alba, Iulia and Brasov.


James has recently worked on the Warsop Old Hall Heritage Lottery Funded Project. In this role, he organised volunteers, assisted with the archaeological investigations, and engaged with the community on behalf of Vibrant Warsop.



Andy Gaunt Archaeologist


james@mercian-as.co.uk


All staff are in possession of up-to-date Criminal Record Bureau (CRB), now known as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), checks.


_____________________________________________________________________

[Back to team]

For general enquiries please email:

Mail: info@mercian-as.co.uk

info@mercian-as.co.uk

Join our mailing list and receive information about upcoming opportunities and events, please email:





Please note - we will only store your name and email address and will not share that information with anyone else.

You can unsubscribe from the mailing list at any point by emailing the same address and requesting removal of your email address and details. Please see the Privacy Policy below for more details.

Contact Us

Join our Mailing List:

Mail: info@mercian-as.co.uk

info@mercian-as.co.uk

Privacy Policy

Mercian Archaeological Services CIC: Privacy Statement



This statement is to confirm Mercian Archaeological Services CIC’s compliance with the newly enforced data protection legislation under the GDPR which is due to be carried out before 25th May 2018.



Mercian hold 3 forms of personal data:


1. Email

2. Details of payments

3. Physical data in the form of health and safety and onsite data processing forms etc.



1. Email:


Mercian holds a mailing list of email addresses, and associated names; consisting only of people who have explicitly confirmed their desire to be on our mailing list will be retained.


If you join our mailing list we will only contact you for reasons of legitimate interest  to promote other products and services you have already declared a desire to receive. 


We only retain names and emails on this list for the purposes of contacting people regarding products, events and services.


Mercian store your data in line with GDPR EU regulations, on password protected systems (email account and personal computers) and will only use it for the purpose of sending you information about the services you have entered into with Mercian.


Mercian do not pass on data to anyone else under any circumstances other than for legitimate business purposes e.g. accounting (we will ensure any thirds parties are also GDPR compliant), and legal requirements.


You have the right to withdraw your email address at any time – to do so, or to update our system with a more suitable contact, please let Mercian Archaeological Services CIC know by email on: info@mercian-as.co.uk



2. Payments:


When Payments for products are made online; Mercian retain details consisting only of name(s), address(es) and email address(es).


Mercian hold the above details in line with GDPR EU regulations, on password protected systems (email account and personal computers).


Mercian do not pass on data to anyone else under any circumstances other than for legitimate business purposes e.g. accounting (we will ensure any thirds parties are also GDPR compliant), and legal requirements.



3. Physical data in the form of health and safety and onsite data processing forms etc.


Hardcopy sign-in sheets (which includes consent for use of photographs) and risk assessment sign-off sheets are kept indefinitely. These documents are kept locked in a filing cabinet.


Should the company be dissolved; these documents will be destroyed after seven years.


Client medical/health details are stored on hardcopy paper sheets and are kept only for the duration of fieldwork, for use in the event of an emergency on site. These paper documents are kept with the relevant member of staff at all times on site or in a locked filing cabinet where there are site facilities.


These documents are not seen by any other party (except for the relevant emergency services at the point of contact).


These documents are destroyed securely at the end of fieldwork.


Community Archaeology in Derbyshire

Community Archaeology in Leicestershire

Community Archaeology Nottinghamshire, Excavation, Research, Volunteering, Community Archaeology Derbyshire, Training, Social, Learning, Community Archaeology Leicestershire, Heritage, Involvement, Belonging, Knowledge sharing, Community Archaeology Lincolnshire, Topographic Survey, Talks and Presentations, Outreach, Archaeology Projects , Open Days, Schools, Finds Processing, Day Schools, Field Schools, Young People, Archaeology and History of Sherwood Forest, Pottery Research, Medieval, Roman, Prehistoric, Community Interest Company, Community Archaeology Nottinghamshire.



Community Archaeology in Nottinghamshire

Community Archaeology in Lincolnshire

Community Archaeology in Yorkshire



Mercian Archaeological Services CIC

Specialists in Community Archaeology, Public Involvement, Research & Training



© Mercian Archaeological Services CIC 2022. Registered Business No. 08347842. All Rights Reserved.

Community Archaeology East Midlands

jamessmalley