Geophysical surveys are often the crucial stage of fieldwork in establishing the likely presence and the extent or archaeological deposits on a proposed development site. These surveys add an important dimension to archaeological understanding and enable other fieldwork, such as trial trenching or open area excavation, to be located economically to answer specific questions, while also providing a broader context for that work.
Northamptonshire Archaeology has special expertise in the field techniques and interpretation of geophysical data. Three types of instrument used in house: Bartington M32 susceptibility meter Geoscan Research Fluxgate Gradiometer (FM36) with ST1 Sample Triggers Geoscan Research RM15 Resistance Meter with PA1 Twin Electrode Probe Array
These are supported in the field by lap-top computers running Geoplot (v.3). Four different graphic presentations are used: shade (greyscale or colour), dot-density, pattern and trace (X-Y profile) plots. Both scan evaluations and comprehensive surveys can be undertaken, and the types of sites previously surveyed range from prehistoric ritual complexs to post-medieval formal gardens.