Consultative Services
Triggs Heritage Consulting was formed in 2016 by John Triggs, who has over 40 years of experience in archaeology and heritage education.
The company’s mission is to offer archaeological and heritage services within planning and development contexts, including Stages 1-4 Archaeological Assessments as required by provincial legislation.
Assessments are conducted in accordance with the Ontario Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists as governed by the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries. Other services include heritage education, cultural resource assessments, and heritage conservation advice.
Stages 1-4 Archaeological Assessments
The archaeological assessment process is triggered by proposed development where the approval authority for a project must satisfy heritage regulations under provincial legislation. Assessments are required when the land to be developed has an archaeological site on it or has the potential for archaeological resources. Assessments are carried out by licensed professional archaeologists who submit their findings in a report to the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
Stage One
Background research is carried out to determine if a site has archaeological potential. Background study can involve archival or online historical research, as well as a search of the Ministry archaeological database to determine if sites are located within a 1 – 2 km radius of the proposed development. A site inspection is required for a Stage 1 assessment.
Stage Four
The goal of this stage is to implement conservation strategies for archaeological sites that are of significant cultural heritage value or interest. Consultation with stakeholders is an important part of the conservation process. Sometimes protection measures include site avoidance while development takes place around the site. Long-term protection and site avoidance measures are the best conservation practices whenever possible. When excavation is the only option, the site is recorded in detail, and artifacts are collected to allow development to proceed.
Stage Two
If a site is determined to have archaeological potential, the property must be assessed in one of two ways: a pedestrian survey if the land is in a ploughed condition, or a test-pitting assessment if the land is not ploughed or unable to be ploughed. In some cases, where the surface is paved or where original ground surfaces may be deeply buried by natural or cultural deposits, other strategies including mechanical excavation may be employed. The purpose of this level of assessment is to determine if a site has cultural heritage value or interest, which would then lead to a Stage 3 assessment. Consultation with First Nations is recommended for this stage.
Stage Three
When it is determined that a site has cultural heritage value or interest the land must be surveyed more intensively to determine the spatial extent of archaeological resources and to gain a more precise knowledge of site characteristics such as age, function, and cultural affinity. Sites are investigated using 1 x 1 metre test squares placed in strategic locations to provide the desired information. Recommendations for Stage 4 mitigation are made at this stage if the site has significant cultural heritage value or interest. Consultation with First Nations is required for this stage.
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Cultural Resource Assessments
Triggs Heritage Consulting specializes in conducting assessments for heritage resources that can include built heritage or cultural heritage landscapes. Cultural heritage assessments require specialized skills in documentation and interpretation.
Dr. Triggs has taught cultural resource management for more than 20 years. Built-heritage projects have included British military forts and domestic structures in Bermuda as well as residential, industrial and commercial buildings in Ontario.
A cultural heritage landscape places buildings, spaces, features or archaeological sites into a collective grouping that is significant or representative. Examples of landscape assessments conducted by Dr. Triggs include burial sites, cemeteries, historic settlements, and battlefields.
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Heritage Conservation Advice
The conservation of Ontario’s cultural heritage properties is enabled through good management and stewardship conducted in the public interest. Working within established Standards and Guidelines cultural resources are examined within a framework that provides protection, maintenance, use and potential disposal of these properties. A heritage conservation plan is the first step to decision-making that could potentially affect the cultural heritage value or interest of a property.
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Educational Services
Fostering heritage awareness begins with education. Dr. Triggs has conducted field schools for universities and public archaeology programs since the mid-1980s. Heritage education takes many forms - the outdoor classroom, the lab, and the public forum - all of which serve to preserve our cultural legacy. The company offers educational consultation and program development services.