What is commercial archaeology?

When a construction project is planned, the area first needs to be surveyed in case there is something there of archaeological importance that would be destroyed. These surveys and excavations are a legal requirement and are carried out by commercial archaeologists.

So a commercial archaeologists are teams who have make their living by being hired by building companies, to excavate an area before construction starts.

Projects run by commercial archaeologists are normally very pressed for time because constraints placed by planned construction work, and so they may not be to as high a standard as other, research led projects. Even if something of interest is found it is unlikely that they will be able to extend the excavation to investigate further.

Commercial Projects may be more inclined to cut corners, and staff may be paid less as project managers try to cut costs, in an effort to undercut quotes given by competitors. (The project who gives the lowest quote is more likely to be given a contract/hired by the construction company).