Today I went to a field lower down the hill from the main site where some new geophysical surveys are currently taking place. It is due to this type of survey that our main ‘banjo’ enclosure was found. The two main methods used are magnetometry and resistivity, both of which are non-destructive. Magnetometry is based on the principle of measuring variations the Earth’s magnetic field and mapping any patterns of magnetism in the soil caused by archaeological features. This type of survey must be carried out in non-magnetic clothing as this can create anomalies in the results.

Ed using the magnetometer

Resistivity on the other hand is based on the extent to which different features resist the flow of an electrical current that is passed through the ground. For example, ditches retain water which is a conductor of electricity, therefore the resistivity is lower.

Leah, Tom and Jack using the resistivity meter

These measurements can then be transformed into image form in order for the results to be interpreted. First year students Will Marffy, Tom Harrison, Ben Bazley and Ed Hughes, all studying BSc Archaeology were taking part in the surveying today as well as Jack Martin-Jones, studying Prehistory and Roman Archaeology, and Leah Harding who is studying Archaeological, Anthropological and Forensic Sciences. Michael Davis, an external field school participant, was also surveying today whilst second year students Arias Jordens and David Amor supervised.

In the same field as the geophysical surveying, our MSc Archaeological Practice students are excavating trenches as part of their professional practice unit, Archaeological Field Investigation. Five ditch sections are being excavated following geophysical surveying of the area. Simon Evans is accompanied by first year assistant Alex Cadzow who is studying Archaeological, Anthropological and Forensic Sciences and they have found some Roman pottery along with some animal bones.

Alex and Simon excavating a ditch section

Tom Leeds is running a second trench being excavated and is being assisted by Pooja Swali, also an Archaeological, Anthropological and Forensic Sciences first year student. They are hoping to complete the excavation of their ditch section by the end of the week.

Tom and Pooja excavating their ditch section

Laura Boxell