When most people think about archaeology it is likely they are imagining people with trowels and soft brushes digging about in the soil trying to uncover physical remains, such as tools, buildings and artifacts, from history and prehistory.  However, although the above would be a component of the work carried out by Karen Adams, as a commercial archaeologist from York her work involved so much more.

Although now retired, for over 40 years Karen ensured that builders and planners followed planning laws to protect historical items and structures from damage.

Using research about Bedale that Karen had undertaken prior to her talk, she showed us the desk-based research carried out before any physical work, that involves reviewing maps, records and history databases to see if the land or building in question is likely to have hidden artifacts. 

Depending on those findings, Karen might then arrange a specialist scan of the ground to see if that highlighted any particular areas where it might be good to dig and, at the end of her excavation work, would write a report for the client and any interested bodies such as the Local Authority or any historical organisations.

What is undertaken by the commercial archaeologist would depend on the wording of the planning documentation.  It could be that only a ‘watching brief’ is required, in which case the archaeologist would simply watch carefully as the builders undertake their initial works to ensure they do not uncover/damage anything that should be protected.

Having listened to Karen’s evaluation of a 100 metre area surrounding Chantry Hall in Bedale, the buildings there will be looked at with different eyes as we remember the interesting historical facts that we learned from her. There is so much more around us and beneath our feet than we might ever realise.