Archaeological Survey, Test Excavation & Salvage
When fieldwork is required, it is led by an approved Excavation Director, not subcontracted out of sight.
COLCO designs and directs archaeological field programs — from initial survey and test excavation to large-scale salvage and mitigation — under the direction of a NSW-approved Excavation Director. Field results feed directly into defensible assessments and permit applications.
The field program
- Pedestrian and targeted archaeological survey.
- Test excavation program design and implementation, compliant with the NSW Code of Practice.
- Salvage excavation and impact mitigation, including site avoidance and surface salvage.
- Salvage and mitigation plans — documenting how Aboriginal objects or historic material will be recovered, recorded and managed.
- Artefact recovery, recording and analysis.
Capacity
COLCO scales the team to the job — senior archaeologists leading assessment and direction, with experienced field crews and Aboriginal field officers for survey, salvage and larger excavation programs. You get senior direction with the right-sized crew, whatever the scale, and proper independent consultation with the relevant Aboriginal parties at every stage.