Archaeological evaluation, sometimes know as trial trenching is excavting strategicaly placed trenches, usually covering five percent of the site. Trenches are dug using a digger equipped with a toothless ditching bucket. The aim of an evaluation , is to assess the significance, frequency or character of any buried archaeology. Topsoil and subsoil are separated
until the natural geology is reached. Any archaeological features will be visible just below the subsoil. Any archaeolgy will be excavated and recorded in line with the written scheme of investigation. On the basis of an evaluation report, a programme of excavation can be implemted. If no archaeology is found, then any further archaeological planning conditions
may be discharged at this point.