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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate techniques to prepare a site for excavation and to rehabilitate an archaeological site 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119878  Demonstrate techniques to prepare a site for excavation and to rehabilitate an archaeological site 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Archaeology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 07 - Human and Social Studies Traditions, History and Legacies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is intended for learners who work as field or laboratory assistants on a regular basis as part of an archaeological team. It may also be useful for learners in museums who do not have formal qualifications and learners on excavation sites who assist with excavations following set procedures.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Clearing a site allocated for excavation.
  • Setting up a grid on an allocated site.
  • Identifying designated areas in an excavation.
  • Explaining why movement is restricted in and around the excavation.
  • Demonstrating methods for rehabilitating a site. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is recommended that learners are competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Excavation under supervision. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Clear a site allocated for excavation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tools used to clear a site are named and an indication is given of when it is appropriate to use each. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tools included, but are not limited to: spades, bush-cutters, pangas, slashers, saws, grass-cutters, bull dozers, shears and secateurs and jack hammers.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Four tools are selected for use on a specific site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The use of four tools is demonstrated with due regard for minimum impact on the environment and archaeological deposits and features. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Potential hazards are identified on a selected site and the necessary precautions are taken to minimise the risk. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hazards include, but are not limited to: bees, wasps, snakes, scorpions, moles, geological problems, water, rising ground water and endangered plants.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Set up a grid on an allocated site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A grid is laid out from two base points using the appropriate equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A grid is labelled and explained as a means of spatial control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The use of labels is explained with reference to their relationship to the buckets of deposit and labelling of packets. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Labelling includes, but is not limited to: squares, levels and packets.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify designated areas in an excavation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The designated areas on a site are named and the appropriate equipment is placed or set up in each area. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Designated areas include the excavation, sorting area, screening area and documentation table.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Safety precautions for each designated area are explained and an indication is given of the consequences of non-compliance. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain why movement is restricted in and around the excavation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The sequence of moving archaeological material from excavation to packaging is explained for a specific site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The system for controlling public access is identified for a specific site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Reasons why movement is controlled and restricted on an excavation site are explained with reference to the archaeological deposit, cultural sensitivity and public safety. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate methods for rehabilitating a site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Three methods for rehabilitating a site are demonstrated and an indication is given of when each is appropriate. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods include, but are not limited to: back filling, bags, gabions, shuttering and Loffelstein blocks.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The consequences of leaving a site open are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Safety procedures to be followed during excavation are described for a specific site. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a candidate against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner is able to work effectively with others as a member of a team, in participating in the activities on an archaeological site. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively in explaining safety precautions and procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is able to demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems in explaining the consequences of non-compliance with safety precautions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
  • The learner is able to demonstrate cultural sensitivity in explaining why movement is restricted on a site.
  • The learner is able to participate as a responsible citizen in rehabilitating a site. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Search words:

    Excavation; archaeology; site rehabilitation, heritage. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49772   National Certificate: Archaeology  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.