GUARD Archaeology
GUARD Archaeology is a Scotland-based archaeological consultancy providing fieldwork, assessment, excavation, specialist analysis, and post-excavation services to local authorities, developers, government bodies, heritage organisations, and academic institutions across Scotland.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersGlasgow, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What GUARD Archaeology does
GUARD Archaeology Limited is a Scotland-based, privately held archaeological consultancy founded in 2011 and registered in Scotland (Company No. SC 384640). The firm delivers the full lifecycle of archaeological services for development-led and heritage projects, including assessments, watching briefs, evaluations, full excavations, surveys, geophysics, building recording, specialist battlefield and osteoarchaeology, and post-excavation analysis and publication. It is headquartered in Glasgow with regional offices in Edinburgh (Loanhead) and a registered office in Ayr, and operates on a Scotland-wide basis covering the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Argyll, Fife, Borders, Stirling, Dumfries and Galloway, and other regions.
The firm holds CIfA Registered Organisation status alongside Construction Line, Achilles, and Acclaim accreditations, satisfying the pre-qualification requirements of Scottish public sector procurement. It complements commercial fieldwork with academic-grade output via Archaeology Reports Online (ARO), a peer-reviewed publication platform launched in 2013 that has produced 60+ volumes of freely accessible fieldwork research, and through long-standing research collaborations with the Centre for Battlefield Archaeology at Glasgow University and National Museums Scotland.
GUARD Archaeology generates revenue primarily through professional services commissions rather than products. Revenue streams include development-led archaeology contracts tendered to satisfy planning conditions for local authorities and private developers, community archaeology projects funded by heritage trusts and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and research commissions from government bodies (Historic Environment Scotland, Transport Scotland, Scottish Water) and academic institutions. Customers include National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Transport Scotland, Scottish Water, Stirling Council, Scottish Power Energy Networks, and private developers such as David Wilson Homes. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales via competitive tender and direct commission, supplemented by community outreach and educational engagement.
GUARD Archaeology firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GUARD Archaeology
- Legal name
- Guard Archaeology Limited
- Website
- https://guard-archaeology.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- GUARD Archaeology is a Scotland-based archaeological consultancy providing fieldwork, assessment, excavation, specialist analysis, and post-excavation services to local authorities, developers, government bodies, heritage organisations, and academic institutions across Scotland.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GUARD Archaeology industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Archaeological Services
- NAICS
- Historical Sites (712120), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE), Historic Sites, Heritage Landmarks & Archaeological Sites (THAJACAC)
Keywords
Where GUARD Archaeology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glasgow
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
GUARD Archaeology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Development-Led Archaeology Contracts: Archaeological investigations commissioned by developers as conditions of planning consent. Projects include watching briefs, evaluations, excavations, and assessments required before construction or development can proceed.
- Community Archaeology Projects: Community-focused archaeological investigations funded by heritage trusts, lottery funding (Heritage Lottery Fund), and public bodies. These projects engage local volunteers and provide public benefit outcomes.
- Research Commission: Archaeological research commissioned by academic institutions, government bodies (Historic Scotland), and public organizations. Includes post-excavation analysis and publication of research findings.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
GUARD Archaeology product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GUARD Archaeology is a Scottish archaeological consultancy delivering a full suite of services across the project lifecycle — including heritage assessments, watching briefs, evaluations, excavations, geophysical and building surveys, battlefield and osteoarchaeology, post-excavation analysis, and specialist consultancy. Work is commissioned primarily by local planning authorities, developers, utilities, government bodies, and heritage organisations as conditions of planning consent, with research outputs disseminated through the Archaeology Reports Online (ARO) publication platform.
Product overview
GUARD Archaeology operates as a diversified archaeological services firm offering a comprehensive suite of services spanning the entire project lifecycle. The core offerings include Assessments, Fieldwork (encompassing watching briefs, evaluations, and excavations), Surveys, Geophysics, and Building Recording. Specialist services include Battlefield Archaeology and Osteoarchaeology, complemented by Post-Excavation analysis and Consultancy. The company also conducts Community Projects with volunteer participation and delivers educational Lectures. All research outputs are disseminated through their Archaeology Reports Online (ARO) publication platform, which provides free access to peer-reviewed fieldwork reports. Services are delivered from offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, covering projects throughout Scotland.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Archaeology Reports Online (ARO): A free online publication series launched by GUARD Archaeology to publish peer-reviewed results of archaeological fieldwork research.
Products and services
- Archaeological Assessments Evaluation of the archaeological significance and potential impact of development projects on heritage sites, delivered to planning authorities, developers, and government clients as part of planning condition work.
- Fieldwork Direct archaeological excavation and investigation including watching briefs, evaluations, and full excavations carried out in advance of construction or development activity for public and private sector commissioners.
- Surveys Systematic archaeological survey of historical sites including WWI practice trenches and POW camps requiring structured documentation.
- Geophysics Non-invasive geophysical survey techniques for archaeological investigation of sites such as early Christian monastic sites and post-medieval churchyards.
- Building Recording Recording and documentation of standing buildings and structures of archaeological or historical interest.
- Battlefield Archaeology Specialist archaeological investigation of historic battlefields including Bannockburn, Flodden, and Cambuskenneth Abbey sites, typically commissioned by heritage bodies and academic partners.
- Osteoarchaeology Analysis of human remains from archaeological contexts including Bronze Age cists and burial investigations.
- Post-Excavation Services Post-excavation analysis, reporting, and publication services including specialist study of Bronze Age cairns and cemeteries.
- Archaeological Consultancy Expert archaeological consultancy for planning applications and heritage management, providing strategic advice to developers, councils, and heritage organisations.
- Community Archaeology Projects
Quantifiable outcome
- Discovered earliest known Mesolithic house in south-west Scotland at Dunragit, dating to around 6000 BC
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use GUARD Archaeology
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
GUARD Archaeology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
GUARD Archaeology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- National Museums ScotlandcoreCollaboration on post-excavation analysis of Bronze Age hoards at Carnoustie and Rosemarkie. National Museums Scotland provided expertise alongside universities of Glasgow, Stirling, Bradford, Exeter and independent specialists for comprehensive metallurgical and organic remains analysis.
- R J McLeodminorContractor commissioned for Twentyshilling Wind Farm who funded archaeological excavations undertaken by GUARD Archaeology in 2020-2021. Archaeological work was a condition of planning consent by Dumfries and Galloway Council.
- StatkraftminorEnergy company developing Twentyshilling Wind Farm who funded archaeological excavations undertaken by GUARD Archaeology in 2020-2021 in advance of wind farm construction.
- Forestry Commission ScotlandminorCollaboration on medieval bloomery site investigation project based on shores of Loch Eck in Argyll. Joint project involved survey and partial re-excavation of ironworking sites, with volunteer participation and student involvement.
- Centre for Battlefield Archaeology at Glasgow UniversitycoreLong-standing research collaboration on battlefield archaeology projects. Co-organized the Politics and Archaeological Research session at IfA 2014 Conference. Collaboration on Bannockburn, Flodden, Killiecrankie and other battlefield investigations combining academic research with commercial fieldwork expertise.
- BBC ScotlandcoreMedia collaboration on BBC documentary 'The Quest for Bannockburn' presented by Neil Oliver and Tony Pollard, aired June 2014 for 700th anniversary of the battle. Documentary filmed Bannockburn community archaeology investigations and findings.
- Treasure Trove UnitminorProfessional training and consultation on archaeological finds assessment. Natasha Ferguson and Stuart Campbell provided refresher training to GUARD Archaeology field staff on identifying archaeological finds and the Treasure Trove reporting system in Scotland.
- National Trust for ScotlandcoreOngoing collaboration on community archaeology projects investigating historic battlefields including Bannockburn. GUARD Archaeology led archaeological investigations with over 1,314 volunteers, working alongside the National Trust for Scotland's battlefield interpretation and conservation objectives. Partnership has produced BBC documentaries and significant research findings.
- Kilallan Kirk Preservation TrustminorCommunity organization commissioning archaeological survey and investigation of Kilallan Kirk medieval church and graveyard. GUARD Archaeology led community archaeology project with volunteer participation, funded by over £180,000 in public and private funding.
- AmeyminorEngineering consultancy engaged on A75 Dunragit Bypass project. Collaboration with GUARD Archaeology on archaeological investigations in advance of road construction, including presentation of Dunragit discoveries at Archaeological Research in Progress Conference.
- Benmore and Kilmun Community Development TrustminorCommunity trust commissioning archaeological survey of 15th century Collegiate Church at Kilmun, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund. GUARD Archaeology staff worked alongside local volunteers to complete the HLF funded project.
- Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian SocietyminorLong-standing collaboration on Galloway Picts Project investigating Trusty Hillfort near Gatehouse of Fleet. GUARD Archaeology provided graphic design, website design, publicity, fieldwork and specialist post-excavation expertise for community research project supported by Heritage Lottery Fund.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
GUARD Archaeology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pre-Construct Archaeology: UK commercial archaeology practice providing planning-condition fieldwork, post-excavation, and heritage services to developers, councils and infrastructure clients; matches GUARD's core business model on a similar scale.
- Wessex Archaeology: UK's largest commercial archaeology organisation offering the same end-to-end suite of fieldwork, post-excavation, and specialist services; the most direct competitor to GUARD's core planning-condition model, although with a broader national footprint.
- Oxford Archaeology: Major UK commercial archaeology practice delivering development-led fieldwork, geophysics, and heritage consultancy comparable to GUARD's services; highly overlapping customer base of developers, local authorities, and national heritage bodies.
- MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology): London-headquartered commercial archaeology consultancy providing development-led investigations, post-excavation, and specialist services to public and private sector clients; directly comparable business model and service mix to GUARD.
- Headland Archaeology: UK-wide commercial archaeology practice offering planning-condition fieldwork, geophysics, building recording and post-excavation analysis; competes head-to-head with GUARD for development-led commissions and framework agreements.
- AOC Archaeology Group: Commercial archaeology consultancy providing heritage services, fieldwork and post-excavation analysis to developers, local authorities and infrastructure clients; closely comparable scope and customer mix to GUARD.
- Cotswold Archaeology: Long-established UK commercial archaeology practice offering development-led investigations, heritage consultancy and community engagement; directly comparable service offering and customer base, although primarily England-focused.
- Archaeological Research Services Ltd (ARS): UK commercial archaeology consultancy providing heritage assessments, fieldwork, geophysics, and post-excavation services; competes with GUARD on tenders and shares the development-led archaeology revenue model.
Regional players
- York Archaeological Trust: Charitable trust operating commercial archaeology services (York Archaeology) including fieldwork, specialist analysis and public engagement; comparable service mix to GUARD but with regional focus and broader heritage/public-benefit remit.
Broad incumbents
- Historic Environment Scotland: Scottish Government agency that is both a regulator and commissioning body for heritage/archaeology work; acts as a customer of GUARD's services and a broader incumbent in the Scottish heritage sector, shaping the regulatory demand environment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GUARD Archaeology social profiles
Digital presenceGUARD Archaeology compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
GUARD Archaeology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GUARD Archaeology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
GUARD Archaeology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GUARD Archaeology M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GUARD Archaeology
What does GUARD Archaeology do?
GUARD Archaeology is a Scottish archaeological consultancy delivering a full suite of services across the project lifecycle — including heritage assessments, watching briefs, evaluations, excavations, geophysical and building surveys, battlefield and osteoarchaeology, post-excavation analysis, and specialist consultancy. Work is commissioned primarily by local planning authorities, developers, utilities, government bodies, and heritage organisations as conditions of planning consent, with research outputs disseminated through the Archaeology Reports Online (ARO) publication platform.
Is GUARD Archaeology a public or private company?
GUARD Archaeology is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was GUARD Archaeology founded?
GUARD Archaeology was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is GUARD Archaeology based?
GUARD Archaeology is headquartered in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does GUARD Archaeology make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Development-Led Archaeology Contracts are the primary driver. The others are community Archaeology Projects and research Commission.
Who are GUARD Archaeology's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pre-Construct Archaeology, Wessex Archaeology, Oxford Archaeology, MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology), Headland Archaeology, AOC Archaeology Group, Cotswold Archaeology and Archaeological Research Services Ltd (ARS). York Archaeological Trust is listed as a regional player. Historic Environment Scotland is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does GUARD Archaeology have an API?
No public API is recorded for GUARD Archaeology.
What industry is GUARD Archaeology in?
GUARD Archaeology's product category is Archaeological Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAH, Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning, with a secondary code of BPAGAHAE, Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation. Its NAICS code is 712120 and its SIC code is 8700.