Thanks Bob, That reference looks as if it might be useful.

Richard.

On 11/05/2013 01:32, Bob Muckle wrote:
> 'A Final Forewarning: Practical Steps to Providing Archaeologists with Safe Working Environments' by James C. Garman. In 'Dangerous Places: Health, Safety, and Archaeology' edited by David A. Poirier and Kenneth L. Feder, (pp 221 - 233).  2001.
>
> Bob Muckle
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Richard Wright
> Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2013 6:40 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: The archaeological excavation of wells
>
> The dangers for archaeologists excavating old wells in superficial deposits are self-evident.
>
> Two fundamental methods of preventing the dangers of collapse are (1) shoring, or (2) creating a safety zone by progressively excavating away the soil around the well as the excavation of the contents proceeds.
>
> Can anyone point me to publications that discuss these dangers and how they can be prevented - preferably with illustrations.
>
> Richard Wright
>