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

Use and maintain basic excavation tools and equipment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119862  Use and maintain basic excavation tools and equipment 
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  2 
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:
  • Identifying and using basic excavation tools.
  • Cleaning and maintaining basic excavation equipment.
  • Preparing excavation tools for transportation and storage.
  • Explaining how equipment is secured on site. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Tools and equipment include, but are not limited to, buckets, sieves, brushes, dust pans, extension cords, pick handles, trowels, spades, shovels, spirit levels, water level, sorting trays, scaffolding, drills, pneumatic drills, compressors, measuring tapes, paper, plastic bags and foil used under supervision. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and use basic excavation tools. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tools used during excavation are named and an indication is given of when it is appropriate to use each. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Tools used for excavating and measuring are selected and used with due regard for the archaeological deposit. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Tools used for sieving and sorting are selected and used with due regard for the size of the artefacts and maximising recovery. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Safety measures for the use of each piece of equipment are explained and an indication is given of the consequences of non-compliance. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Clean and maintain basic excavation equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Minor repairs to equipment are effected on site using appropriate tools. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sieves that are in need of repair are identified and reported to the relevant authority. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A file or grindstone is used to sharpen a spade, axe and trowel. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Equipment is cleaned after use. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain how equipment is secured on site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Risks associated with storage of equipment on site are identified for a specific site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The consequences of not securing equipment on site are explained with reference to the contractor, logistics and the individual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Arrangements for security are explained for a specific site. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Prepare excavation tools for transportation and storage. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The dangers if tools are incorrectly packaged are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Selected tools are packaged for transportation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Selected tools are stored appropriately. 


    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 and reporting equipment in need of repair. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively in explaining safety and security 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 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 tools; tools; archaeology, 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.