Why it matters
Without AI, inconsistencies in records and missed consultation requirements create delays, conflicting guidance, and backlogs in post-excavation analysis and archive deposition.
From design to safety
Design
AI scopes planning condition checks
The AI reads HER entries, monument records, event records, and grey literature to flag required consultations, identify restrictions, and suggest mapping layers for the WSI and trench designs.
- Context sheet binder
- Single context recording form
- Harris matrix board
Build
Mapping and consultation integration
During build, it cross-references site plans with HER overlays and monument data, updating mapping and flagging areas needing roadside notices or specific liaison with stakeholders' input and approvals.
- Georeferenced map overlay
- Consultation log binder
- Archive deposition folder
Operation
Dynamic discovery tracking
In operation, AI monitors new event records and finds-based updates, adjusting watch lists and notifying the team of emerging conditions in real time promptly.
- Context sheet binder
- Georeferenced map overlay
- Consultation log binder
Maintenance
Record maintenance and retrieval
AI ensures post-excavation assessments align with HER data, updates the archive with new citations, and maintains versioned monument record mappings, and facilitates future reliability checks.
- Archive deposition folder
- Harris matrix board
- Single context recording form
Safety
Regulatory compliance checks
It validates that every design and site change adheres to planning conditions and CIfA standards, generating compliance reports for sign-off by the qualified person and audit trails.
- Consultation log binder
- Archive deposition folder
- Georeferenced map overlay
Part by part
- 1
Context sheet binder
- Watch for
- Missing context identifiers or mismatched context numbers across sheets and plans.
- AI action
- Detect numbering conflicts and trigger reconciliation workflow automatically to records.
- 2
Single context recording form
- Watch for
- Inconsistent context types or missing date stamps on forms during field capture.
- AI action
- Flag anomalies and auto-append validation notes to records in the form.
- 3
Harris matrix board
- Watch for
- Discrepancies between plotted context relationships and planned trench sections and sections.
- AI action
- Suggest corrections to stratigraphic linking within the matrix.
- 4
Consultation log binder
- Watch for
- Unlogged stakeholder contact or unanswered consultation requests.
- AI action
- Generate unresolved-item alerts and assign follow-up tasks to planning archaeologist.
- 5
Georeferenced map overlay
- Watch for
- Outdated layer versus current grid coordinates or control points.
- AI action
- Prompt update with latest geospatial fixes to maps and plans.
- 6
Archive deposition folder
- Watch for
- Missing provenance data or incomplete archive metadata.
- AI action
- Trigger completeness check and metadata prompts to archive records.
Worked example
HER and Monument Record Integration at 12.7 ha coastal development
Illustrative scenario with sample data.
A coastal development on scrubland triggers planning consent; AI integrates HER searches, monument records, event data, and grey literature to map constraints and inform liaison scheduling with the planning authority and curator.
Signal in
HerSearchDate: 2026-05-01; MonumentRecordID: MR-085; EventRecords: ER-23, ER-27; GreyLiteratureLinks: GL-112; ConsultationRequests: CR-46; GridRef: NZ123405; WSI: draft; DesignNotes: coastal risk; ExistingSiteContext: shoreline retreat
System out
AI-generated consultation scope and mapping plan with condition dependencies; mapping layers added to the WSI plan; liaison schedule proposed; upcoming consent deadlines logged.
Human sign-off: Project manager reviews the AI-produced consultation scope and mapping plan, verifies with the HER adviser, and signs off before planning authority submission.
How to roll it out
Phase 1
Weeks 1 to 2: Baseline
Establish data feeds, schema, and AI thresholds; align with HER and monument record databases; prepare initial mapping overlays.
Phase 2
Weeks 3 to 6: Integration
Integrate AI outputs with WSI and risk assessments; implement consultation tracking and document versioning.
Phase 3
Weeks 7 and beyond: Operational
Maintain live monitoring, automate reporting to HER, and support post-excavation archive deposition.
Where people stay in charge
- All planning-condition decisions remain with a qualified person or planning archaeologist responsible for sign-off and evidence trail.
- AI recommendations must be reviewed against the Written Scheme of Investigation and HER guidance before submission to regulators.
- Any conflict with statutory consent must trigger escalation to the client’s heritage consultant and local authority.
Questions owners and crews ask
What records does AI use to inform HER search outcomes?
AI reads HER databases, monument records, event records, and grey literature to identify relevant constraints, so human sign-off confirms the interpretation and scope.
How does AI handle conflicting records from different sources?
AI flags conflicts, aggregates notes, and routes them to the planning archaeologist for reconciliation with the WSI and planning conditions.
Who signs off the consultation plan generated by AI?
The project manager or planning archaeologist signs off after reviewing the evidence trail and compliance with the Written Scheme of Investigation.
Can AI update the monument record mapping during excavation?
Yes, AI proposes updates and logs changes; the qualified person signs off embodied amendments and archive records.