'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