Archaeological Geophysics Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

With the advent of PPG16 (Planning Policy Guidance note 16) in 1990 the role archaeology in England has developed in a prevailing climate of ‘preservation in-situ’. This has seen the rise of geophysical techniques as a rapid evaluation tool in planning lead archaeology. Geophysical survey also provides an essential research tool with quickly accessible results, that can be used to illustrate the need for further work on personal and public research projects.

The development of affordable, user-friendly equipment and data processing packages (particularly Geoscan Research) means that most active local archaeological societies can afford at least an RM15. This provides a perfect non-invasive research tool which societies can employ to broaden their knowledge of the local archaeology and contribute enormously to the enhancement of the local SMR (Sites and monuments Record). Apart from the initial outlay it then becomes a very cost effective way to involve a number of people in the active sphere of archaeological research.

The more affordable instrumentation and ease of use to the surveyor means that many more commercial archaeological units own their own equipment and do not need to tender out to specialist companies for the more ‘routine’ jobs that many be undertaken as part of a broader evaluation. Far more local government and commercial units can now offer geophysical survey in their repertoire of evaluation techniques.

This all indicates that geophysical surveys have been increasing in numbers over the past ten years and therefore there is a wealth of available information. But where does it exist? How can the interested parties access it?

The Archaeological Investigations Project is an English Heritage funded project which seeks to record and provide a gazetteer to all archaeologically lead investigations undertaken in England, by year. It provides listings of archaeological interventions by district or metropolitan borough, for each county and unitary authority in England. The project researchers visit all county councils, commercial units and Universities which hold a relevant SMR or contain an archive of the work they have undertaken. Each entry consists of :

• a unique gazetteer entry number and an Archaeological Investigation Project database reference number for the relevant investigation record (for internal AIP use only)
• National Grid Reference: An eight figure grid reference prefixed by the relevant National Grid letters has been recorded where provided in the reports, etc. accessed.
• Site/project name and location: The name of the site or development project, giving some indication of its location, is given.
• Report title, in the case of an "unpublished" monograph-type this may include an internal report number, if recorded.
• Other publication details: Normally comprises the name of the organisation/individual responsible for authoring or editing the report, followed by the place of issue/publication, the name of the organisation responsible for issue/publication, the year of issue/publication and a description of the physical format of the document including the total number of pages, and the presence of figures, tables, plates etc
• Summary of investigation.
• Summary authorship attribution code
• SMR Primary Record Numbers: Relevant Sites and Monuments Record reference numbers.
• Archaeological periods represented: The broad dating of the archaeological remains identified during the course of the investigation

The geophysical survey entries will include more relevant fields to the specific type of survey undertaken. This should give enough information to anyone using the gazetteer whether or not the piece of work is relevant to their enquiry and then a lead to find the original report.

In the case of geophysical surveys AIP has always recorded those which form part of a broader evaluation consisting of a number of archaeological techniques. This is mainly due to the fact that the English Heritage Geophysical Database was running a pilot study to try and record details of all geophysical surveys undertaken by commercial and academic organisations. Although many were recorded it has not been possible to continue at present with this project. English Heritage continue to update the database with details of their in-house work and also details are recorded of surveys which require permission to be conducted on a scheduled ancient monument, under the section 42 of the Ancient Monuments Act.

As a number of geophysical surveys are now undertaken as the main source of evaluation it has been decided to include them where they occur as a single event. Data collection from 2001 onwards will include all geophysical survey work. It is hoped that this might then be used to enhance already existing data sets.

A decade on from PPG16 it may be possible to analyse trends in the nature and frequency of geophysical surveys undertaken. Where they have been conducted for purely research purposes and where they form part of planning archaeology. Geophysical survey reports are an integral part of the greater historic environment record and deserve to be recognised as such , they also need to be accessible.

Future developments of AIP data recording for geophysical surveys hope to include the documentation of reports completed for forensic and environmental surveys.