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Geophysics

What is Geophysics? - read more about our geophysics, the equipment the society uses and how you can make use of it.

Geophysics Capabilities 2011 - a description of our current geophysics equipment.

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Geophysics Update March 2011

The winter 2010/2011 has been one of our less active times, one reason being that we could not get access to Three Corner Ground, the field next to Blacklands. This means we have spent the time since last summer doing a number of individual members’ projects, at sites including Truddoxhill, Steeple Ashton, West Lavington and St Algars.

One particular project has been on Bathampton Down with sites below Sham Castle and on the edge of the Golf Course. The latter has been particularly intriguing as we have discovered possible signs of the missing Bathampton Down Stone Circle. This complements our Stanton Drew survey.

The 2010 survey produced some excellent results and we are now planning the 2011 season. The report is now in final draft and we hope it can be issued in April.

Work will be starting in the next few days at Iford, where there are a number of Romano-British and prehistoric sites to investigate, and we still have a number of individual members’ projects to work on.

Let us know if you are interested in joining in any of this work.

Geophysics News, August 2010

by John Oswin

Our last big story published was Stanton Drew.

We have continued our programme of work this summer and we are just starting to compile our report. We have completed the high data density magnetometer survey of Stone Close and the results are excellent. The ditch is seen to have an entrance in the south - west (not that caused by a later track being driven through), the timber rings possibly have a portal on the east, there are possible circle and part - circle settings of posts within the field and there is much activity just to the south - east of the main circle, although this may be later.

The resistance survey has been extended, and that showed evidence of the post rings too. When the resistivity profiles are added, that is giving us a lot more information in three dimensions…but it needs a lot of analysis!

The south south - west circle has also proved even more intriguing than expected, with internal stones and post holes. It is also set on a very level platform on top of the hill.

Our work also continues at the Cove, to try to gather more evidence on whether it is the site of a long barrow.

I have also been running a small project at Nether Compton, near Sherborne.

This was to find whether the coin hoard (22,500 coins) found there in 1989 had any archaeological context. It turns out the hoard was buried right next to significant Roman occupation. This is unlike the recently discovered Frome hoard, which really does appear to be isolated.

Our geophysics work at Calne Castle was very successful in locating structures and so directing the recent excavations.

Winter geophysics continued in a very isolated field at Chickwell Farm near the Blacklands and Homefield sites. This turned out to have two farmsteads in it, mediaeval or later.

We have also been involved in, or have plans for surveys at St Algar's Farm, Low Ham, Bathampton, Bathampton Down, Malmesbury, East Tytherton, Truddoxhill and White Ox Mead as well as continuing surveys in the Blacklands vicinity and at Stanton Drew.

We updated our EDM last year, and we now have a SOKKIA SET 5W.

We also received a very generous gift of a ground - penetrating radar set, MALA X3M, 250 and 500 MHz, from the late Dr Philip Day of Manchester.

My book, 'A Field Guide to Geophysics in Archaeology' was published by Springer last summer. It is intended for non - scientific students and is intended to show how to set up and carry out basic surveys, and how to use the equipment…but you have to dig deep into your pocket for it!

Stanton Drew Report - report now available to download

Laverton Churchyard Survey - report now available to download