Archaeological environmental monitoring (MOV)

NIKU researchers have worked with the thematics for 30 years and have carried out national and international research projects in addition to heritage management and rescue archaeology projects. We have a structured approach that can be adapted in size and longevity to the investigated site. We have participated in the development of a Norwegian Standard (NS 9451:2009) and contributed towards a new European CEN Standard (EN 17652:2022).

NIKU offers

• Environmental deposit monitoring in all archaeological contexts with preserved deposits, from all time periods.
• Guidance and assistance in planning and completing environmental deposit monitoring in archaeological contexts of all types.
• Guidance and assistance on adaptive or mitigative measures, water infiltration, and securing of sections, protecting the surrounding archaeology.

MOV deliverables

MOV 1; evaluating state of preservation.

MOV 2; geophysical, geochemical or hydrological samples and analyses of environmental conditions in addition to the state of preservation evaluation.

MOV 3; long-term archaeological deposit modelling, and adaptive or mitigative measures.

Environmental monitoring of archaeological deposits

• secures preservation of archaeology for the future
• secures knowledge on state of preservation and environmental conditions
• secures factual basis for sustainable heritage politics, heritage management, local financial development, and contributes to environmental awareness and understanding
• is necessary to develop, evaluate, and follow up environmental policy goals and tools