De AMZ cycle is a fixed procedure within the archaeological monument care (AMZ) in the Netherlands. The cycle is anchored in the Quality Standard Dutch Archaeology (KNA) and is considered a mandatory step-by-step plan for archaeologists.
This step-by-step plan indicates which path to follow when planning when it comes to incorporating archaeological values and expectations. It is of great importance to take this into account at the earliest possible stage of planning, and before starting the global filling in of a plan area.
Detail Indicative Map of Archaeological Values (IKAW)
The step-by-step plan is based on a broad inventory of what is known about the archaeological values. Based on this, a very focused focus is placed on archaeological information relevant to the plan (area). After each step, a reasoned choice is made for more in-depth research at specific locations, so that ultimately enough is known about the existing sites to be able to make a motivated assessment in the spatial planning process.
1. Desk research
The purpose of desk research is to acquire information – based on existing sources – about known or expected archaeological values within or relevant to the plan area. In addition, the desk research must provide insight into any necessary inventory research (step II, see below). A desk research consists of an archive and literature study of archaeological and soil data known to RCE, province, municipality and/or other bodies (e.g. universities or museums) about the area in question.
Detail Cultural Historical Atlas South Holland, click on image to go to the website
The Bureau Investigation should address the following aspects:
- Indicate the reason for the desk research and the area involved. This is in connection with determining the research framework;
- Describe the current use of the location based on available relevant data;
- Describing the historical land use or historical development of the area based on geophysical, physical and historical geographical data:
– a brief impression of the history of the landscape;
– an impression of the history of habitation. - Describing known archaeological values:
– archaeologically valuable areas as included in the National Monuments Register of the RCE. The same areas are also included in the Archaeological Monuments Maps (AMK) of the provinces. Archaeologically valuable areas enjoy legal protection or must receive planning protection within the zoning plan:
– archaeological sites such as this one in Arches of the RCE. Clustering of sites may indicate the presence of traces of habitation from the past. - Describing the archaeological expectations and drawing up a specified and substantiated expectation model of the expected archaeological values:
– based on the RCE development Indicative Map of Archaeological Values (IKAW). Areas with a high or medium archaeological expectation value or probability of encounter are in any case eligible for further archaeological investigation;
– on the basis of a more detailed provincial or municipal expectation map as has also been established for Gorinchem, for example. - Report containing advice for the follow-up process related to the various stages of the planning process.
Detailed map from Archis 3.0
2. Inventory field research (IVO)
The purpose of the inventory field study is to supplement and test the results of the desk study in a very targeted manner. Step by step it is examined whether archaeological values are present and if so, what the nature, character, size, dating, intactness, conservation and relative quality are. For the purpose of an IVO, a Programme of Requirements (PvE) must be drawn up. In principle, the IVO is carried out on the basis of a Plan of Approach (PvA). The study can consist of the following methods:
- non-destructive methods : geophysical methods ;
- minimally destructive methods: surface mapping, drilling, sounding (pits of up to one square metre);
- destructive methods : test trenches.
Which methods (can) be used depends on the location and the question. The substantiation for the methods to be used is given in the desk research. An inventory field research must lead to an assessment and an archaeological content selection advice to the competent authority.
Example of non-destructive testing using ground radar
Further explanation of research methods: 1 and 2:
Non-destructive methods include electrical, magnetic and electromagnetic methods, possibly in combination with remote sensing techniques.
Low-destructive methods involve surface mapping and drilling researchThis means that the plan area is mapped by means of "walking" fields and meadows, whereby indications of the presence of archaeological values are sought. In addition, drilling is used to investigate the state of the soil structure, and whether archaeological layers or indicators can be distinguished. The sites found can then be examined more closely with a more in-depth drilling investigation. This provides further information about the size and valuation. Sometimes it is necessary to dig test pits at this stage.
A trial trench investigation is carried out if less destructive research methods have shown that valuable archaeological sites are present in a plan area. By digging a number of trial trenches, the exact boundaries, dating and degree of preservation of a site can be investigated. The trial trench investigation must show whether a site is worth preserving or even protecting. If this is the case, it will have to be examined whether the site can be incorporated into the plan. The national and provincial archaeology policy is primarily based on preserving the soil archive in situ (on site in the soil).
Example of a trial trench survey in the Hoog Dalem plan area (2006)
If necessary: 3. Excavation or archaeological follow-up research
If it is not possible to preserve a 'preservation worthy' or 'protection worthy' site in situ, the soil archive present here will have to be preserved for posterity by means of a full-surface investigation (excavation). Only then is this step (3) necessary.
Source: Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE)