E-mail: p.shaw@nparchaeology.co.uk

Patricia Shaw is the Environmental Coordinator for North Pennines Archaeology Limited (NPAL).  She has been in post since March 2003.  Her main task is to implement strategies for environmental sampling and recovery on all sites managed by NPAL.  Her main priorities are to process all ecofacts and samples to an initial assessment stage.  She then allocates the material recovered and recorded from sites to relevant specialists.  The plant macrofossil remains are analysed on site by her.

In addition Patricia helps coordinate the post excavation material from the various sites managed by NPAL.  Current projects in which she is involved include the Medieval metal working site at the Maltsters Arms, Carlisle and the Roman and Medieval domestic site at Scotch Street, Carlisle.  The plant material from these sites is being analysed as part of her MSc degree, which is being written up through Durham University under the supervision of Jacqui Huntley.

A graduate in Bioarchaeology from Bradford University in 2002, she has worked mainly on charred plant remains but also some waterlogged material.  The results of her dissertation, based on the charred plant macrofossils recovered from the site of Old Scatness, Shetland, confirmed the historical evidence, leading to a better understanding of farming practices in South Mainland Shetland for the Post-Medieval period.  Her work is being cited in the Post-Medieval period write up of the site and she will present a paper on the subject in Quebec at the North Atlantic Biocultural Organisation conference in September.

Mainly involved in the recovery and processing by flotation of bulk and spot samples, paying attention to the maximisation of material recovery during this process, she also trained in sorting of samples in post excavation and other on site techniques such as magnetic susceptibility testing.  Her logical, systematic approach to prioritisation ensures the successful completion of projects, redirecting as appropriate.

As part of the team at North Pennines Archaeology (NPA) she has also carried out excavations, watching briefs and desk based assessments for archaeological potential of sites and all aspects of recording associated with these tasks.  Sampling strategies are directed by herself, as are the processing and analysis of the samples to prioritise them for further assessment.  She has a sound background in laboratory techniques, having been a senior lab technician for 10 years.

Her expertise in environmental material has increased during the three years she has been with NPA.  She is responsible for completing all environmental report writing, incorporating this section within the main body of the text.  She is also in close contact with Sue Stallibrass, EH regional science advisor for the North West region and Jacqui Huntley, EH regional science advisor for the North East, keeping abreast of various updates on environmental matters.