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Archaeological Geophysics Case Studies
Friends of Purton Ships
Techniques employed:
Magnetometry
Stratascan were commissioned to carry out a survey of some old ship hulks on the south shore of the Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire
The Gloucester and Sharpness canal was threatened by riverbank erosion in 1909 and the early 1950s. During both episodes various crafts were beached on the river bank to protect the canal, which was a vital navigation link, from flooding. The vessels that were used were thought to be obsolete and of no economic value. The site also became a convenient place to retire redundant vessels. Many of these vessels, over time, became buried by alluvial deposits. Extensive work has since been carried out on the site and many vessels have been identified.
The purpose of the survey was to determine the suspected locations of at least two buried hulks.
Due to the high iron content in the hulks magnetometry was used as the most cost effective way of locating the remains
Data was collected over an area of some 1.5 ha with the long axis parallel to the shore. The adjacent plot of the results shows values in excess of 50nT in red and in excess -50nT in blue. Two iron ships can clearly be seen in the centre and top of the plot. The cluster of strong readings at the bottom are interpreted as the iron fitttings from a wooden ship.
Roman Villa at Pillerton Priors
Techniques employed:
Resistivity
Magnetic Susceptibility
Magnetometry
Client: David Sabin
Geophysical surveying carried out by Stratascan helped David Sabin, who was Stratascan's Archaeological Project Manager at the time, carry out research at a Romano-British villa site in South Warwickshire. The site was initially located by David in 1998 after a programme of fieldwalking in the area. Tesserae collected from the field surface indicated the presence of a mosaic floor that was being heavily disturbed by ploughing. A 'rescue' type excavation was carried out in September 2002 with help from the Association of Roman Archaeology in order to assess and record any surviving mosaic floor.
Techniques employed:
Magnetic Susceptibility
Magnetometry
Resistivity
Client: National Trust for Wales and Dyfed Archaeological Trust
A geophysical survey undertaken for Dyfed Archaeological within Dinefwr Park, Llandeilo in February and March 2003 has revealed clear evidence for a Roman fort immediately to the south of Home Farm. The work was undertaken on behalf of the National Trust for Wales who are preparing a conservation plan for Dinefwr Park.
Techniques employed:
Resistivity
Magnetometry
Client: The Glamorgan - Gwent Archeological Trust Ltd
in collaboration with Cadw Welsh Historic Monuments
Glamorgan - Gwent Archaeological Trust are currently managing a threat-led assessment project on Romano-British lowland settlements in SE Wales. The project is grant aided by Cadw. Stratascan were asked to carry out both resistivity and magnetometry over the six sites involved to help with understanding the extent and character of any remains. The sites stretch across South Wales between Chepstow and Bridgend and lie on either Lower Lias or Limestone. These geologies allowed both magnetic and resistivity anomalies of good contrast to be detected. Two sites are discussed here.
Two sites are discussed here.
Ground Probing Radar (GPR)
Client: Martin Ashley Architects - Dorchester Abbey
The Abbey Church at Dorchester was once part of the large and important monastery at Dorchester in Oxfordshire. As part of a project to maintain and develop the church, underfloor heating is being designed by Martin Ashley Architects. They were concerned that the pipes running beneath the floor would disturb burials that had taken place within the church. We were asked to carry out a Ground Probing Radar (GPR) survey over the floor areas affected.
Case Studies