(Strategy, tactics and the research method)
The research is designed as rescue excavation. That means to pay maximal attention to every single archaeological and historical feature endangered by construction activity. The Prague Archaeological Committee has recommended this concept and group of independent scholars checks methodology and work procedure continuously.
Strongly accented is cross compatibility of archaeological sources achieved by different research teams during excavation and post-excavation phase of the research: integrated geodetic survey, orthogonal net of squares 4 by 4 meters (picture 1 and 2), unified field documentation sheets, joint computer center (primarily for transcription and data saving), digitalizing of all plans (picture 3) and sections (picture 4) all done in computer center and then data processing using Bentley MicroStation software, cohesive processing of photogrammetric plans using digital photography (pictures 5, 6 and 7), all necessary laboratory treatment done right on site according to the agreement on central record of accepted and cleaned finds, joint database for recording primary documentation of the dig - database "Stratum" (version 1.2. Prague) using MS Access (author: Mgr. M. Peška, Archaia Brno o.p.s.) and database of archaeological finds.
The examined area offers excellent opportunity to use many interdisciplinary procedures. Besides above mentioned examples run coordinated analysis of written and iconographic sources, archive search and possibly other constructional-historical analysis (Mgr. Kateřina Hanzlíková), analysis of found architectonic elements (Miroslav Kovář) and building ceramics analysis (PhDr. Patrik Líbal). All environmental (araeobotanical) samples are taken right on site and our specialists separate and analyze them subsequently (Mgr. Petr Kočár and Mgr. Libor Weiter - ZIP o.p.s. Pilsen). Excavation of this enormous extent will be a good basis for geologic relief reconstruction of site itself and of surrounding New Town of Prague area as well (RNDr. Jan Zavřel).
There were eight archaeologists and about 280 field and lab workers involved in the project during its first season which started in March 2003. Three laboratories arranged cleaning and basic treatment of finds and their recording. After heavy machine removal of barracks courtyard modern backfill layers (0,8 -2,2 m thickness) there remained some 1-5 m of archaeology to excavate. Excavation of these layers will last till September/November 2004 and subsequently processing of enormous primary field record and extremely rich find complex will continue. Entire research will be done during 2008.