Geophys Group Progress Report, 2003 Season

Alan Brown

The 2003 season proved to be as exciting as anticipated, with the possible location of two more ring ditches and further progress on the site general survey (the general survey plan is to geophys the whole field). This season produced a total of 22 grids surveyed (that's a total of 8800 square metres). That's not bad considering we still have only one res kit available and had only two weeks of surveying time. (Two weeks seems a long time, but the group does have other jobs to do on site. Also the availability of group members can be a problem, as we all have full-time jobs off-site).

The season started with the usual practical training (resistance) for the visiting students (from the Universities of Liverpool and Nottingham). As usual the students were very enthusiastic and this made my job very easy. Two grids were laid out away from the general survey area and within the area covered by base line 2; this was done to prevent any interference with the general survey project. (The grids covered are the subject of the section 2003 Student training grids, within the geophys group web page. The plot and short report can be downloaded from there and printed out.) The first area covered by this year's survey was located to the east of the ring ditch trench. The survey propagated eastwards from the north/east corner of the ditch trench (see figure 1) to the eastern boundary of the field. Five 20m x 20m grids were surveyed in, producing a liner survey. The purpose of this survey was to locate any other ring ditches and investigate the possibility of a track way running across the field from the direction of the black and white cottages (possible location of the Abbey) to the Chapel. We came across readings consistent with one circular feature, and readings consistent with a liner feature running diagonally through the survey (north/east to south/west). A full report will be available on this web page when completed.

General survey

The general survey will eventually cover all the main field at Poulton.

The general survey was started in the 2001 season, concentrating initially on base line 2 (the area directly north of the Chapel site). The report on the 2001 survey is available from the Poulton web-site. Due to a number of supplementary surveys (supplementary surveys are carried out on areas of specific interest away from the general survey area) carried out in the 2002 season, no more work has been done on the general survey till this year. It was decided that base line 1 would be the best place to start, as circular crop markings had been spotted in this area in 1999 (see figure 1). Initially 9 grids were measured in and surveyed. The results were at first disappointing because we had 10 field drains crossing the area, which acted as a mask, canceling any possible archaeology. After data processing, however, we were able to see at least one circular feature situated within one of the 20m x 20m grids. We decided to measure in 4 10m x 10m grids within that particular 20m x 20m area in order to give the circular feature more definition (in a 10m x 10m the traverse width is reduced to 0.5m and the readings are taken at 0.05m intervals). Unfortunately, when the data was processed the ring feature was no longer evident. This is still under investigation and will be explained in the report.

Supplementary surveys

A small number of supplementary surveys were carried out this season, mainly around the ring ditch trench in order to investigate the possibility of a cluster of ring ditches. (Two more ditches excavated in the ring ditch trench are curving into the sections, one in the north of the trench and one in the south of the trench, possibly indicating the presence of two more burial sites). Prior to the 2002 season when the first trench over the ring ditch was excavated, we had concentrated on the search for the Abbey or for signs of Roman occupation. We had not expected ring ditches. So a further look at the 2001 survey plots was needed, and lo and behold we may have another ring ditch to the south/east of the present ring ditch trench. So all in all we have the possibility of a 5 ring ditch cluster. Only excavation can prove this, though, so watch this space for reports. The next supplementary was carried out as a quick investigation of the area to the west of the Chapel along the hedge line. This was done to investigate the slightly raised area that is cut by the hedge (see figure 1). We found an area of medium high resistance that may indicate a floor surface (again only excavation can prove this). So that was the total of our 22 grids and geophysics season, and in my opinion a most enjoyable season.

It is worth noting, that Archaeo-geophysics can only provide an indication of buried features; it cannot positively identify an archaeological feature. This can only be achieved by excavation.

Acknowledgments

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have contributed to this year's work, so thanks to Annabelle Rogers, Hazel Jones, Caroline Jones, and Alan Bunny, I would also like to thank all the visiting students for their enthusiasm and interest. But above all I would like to thank Keith Matthews of the Chester Archaeological Services for the use of their RM4 resistance meter. And last but not least Stephen Blaikie of Sokkie for the use of the Total Station.

© 2004 Alan Brown and The Poulton Research Project