Why it matters
Without AI, mislabelled contexts, missing links, or inconsistent phasing can cause backlogs in post-excavation assessment, delays in reporting, and disputes over Heritage Condition Discharges.
From design to safety
Design
AI supports stratigraphic planning
Reads existing site records and written scheme of investigation inputs to assemble initial Harris matrix, plan phasing, and map stratigraphic relationships for trenches and features; cross-references regional stratigraphy, WSI constraints, and client briefed priorities.
- Context Sheet
- Stratigraphic Plan
- Harris Matrix Board
- Phase Plan
Build
Live matrix validation in field
Continues to ingest trench records, cuts and fills, updating the Harris matrix, flagging boundary discrepancies, and validating phasing as digging progresses; incorporates real-time adjustments from supervision.
- Context Sheet
- Cuts and Fills Dataset
- Stratigraphic Plan
- Phase Plan
Operation
Stratigraphic reporting and QA
Generates interim and final phasing reports, cross-referencing archive-ready context records and plan sheets for client and HER submission; supports narrative stratigraphic sequence in reporting.
- Context Sheet
- Harris Matrix Board
- Stratigraphic Plan
- Context Link Database
Maintenance
Data hygiene and archive preparation
Cleans and reconciles context IDs, links, and phasing to ensure post-excavation assessment clarity and archive deposition readiness; sustains audit trails for curatorial review.
- Context Sheet
- Context Link Database
- Stratigraphic Plan
- Harris Matrix Board
Safety
Integrity checks for historic stratigraphy
Monitors complex stratigraphic interleaving to identify potential misinterpretations that could affect trench stability or services assessment; integrates buried services awareness with phasing integrity.
- Context Sheet
- Harris Matrix Board
- Stratigraphic Plan
- Buried Services Map
Part by part
- 1
Context Sheet
- Watch for
- context codes drift, mislabelled boundaries, missing dates or collector initials
- AI action
- read codes and boundaries; flag anomalies and prompt correction workflow
- 2
Stratigraphic Plan
- Watch for
- missing links between layers, unresolved parent-child relations
- AI action
- validate links; propose corrected stratigraphic ordering and links
- 3
Harris Matrix Board
- Watch for
- inconsistent matrix entries, duplicate contexts, circular relationships
- AI action
- update matrix with new contexts; flag conflicts for human review
- 4
Phase Plan
- Watch for
- missing or conflicting phase definitions
- AI action
- generate proposed phasing sequences based on stratigraphic relationships
- 5
Context Link Database
- Watch for
- unlinked contexts, orphan context records
- AI action
- link related contexts; surface layer correlations; trigger reconciliation workflow
- 6
Buried Services Map
- Watch for
- undetected utility paths, skipped service crossings
- AI action
- overlay with stratigraphic layers; trigger service clearance checks
Worked example
Catching a stratigraphic drift before a trench mapping
Illustrative scenario with sample data.
A 4.2 ha development-led site with multi-period deposits requires consolidated phasing and a consistent Harris matrix before reporting.
Signal in
siteArea: 4.2; periodsFound: [Late Bronze Age, Iron Age]; contexts: 210; cuts: 58; fills: 63; contextSheet: present; phaseDefinitions: draft v1; associated finds: 24; HERID: T-0147; dataSchemaVersion: v2.1; monitorInterval: daily; surveyAssets: drone-coverage-2026-11; remarks: none
System out
AI-generated phased matrix with proposed re-ordered contexts, updated links, and a 3-phase plan; flagging of any mis-labeled contexts for re-recording; archive-ready disposition notes; stratigraphic narrative aligned with WSI and HER requirements.
Human sign-off: Project manager approves the AI-generated matrix and phasing, with final sign-off by the heritage consultant prior to reporting.
How to roll it out
Phase 1
Weeks 1 to 4
Baseline data ingestion, reflect current contexts, and build initial Harris matrix draft.
Phase 2
Weeks 5 to 8
Field validation, live updates, and reporting for design and build handover.
Phase 3
Weeks 9 to 12
Maintenance of records, archive-ready outputs, and post-excavation assessment preparation.
Where people stay in charge
- All matrix decisions affecting phasing must be signed off by the project manager or planning archaeologist.
- The qualified person must review any AI-suggested changes to context IDs, boundaries, and linkage before updating HER records or archive.
- AI actions are non-final and require human approval for closure of context sequences and final reporting.
Questions owners and crews ask
How does the Harris Matrix AI interact with the written scheme of investigation (WSI) in design?
The AI reads WSI inputs, regional stratigraphic expectations, and site records to suggest an initial matrix structure and phasing plan for trench design and context recording, which is then reviewed by the project manager.
What happens when AI detects conflicting context links during build?
The system flags conflicts, presents a proposed resolution path, and routes it to the site supervisor and project manager for human decision before updating the records.
How is post-excavation assessment aided by the AI?
The AI maintains a reconciled context ledger and stratigraphic narrative, enabling efficient generation of post-excavation assessment and archive deposition files following CIfA standards.
What safety considerations are tied to the Harris matrix analysis?
AI flags stratigraphic ambiguities that could imply unknown voids or unstable cuts, prompting additional checks by the site safety supervisor and, if needed, supplementary geotechnical advice.