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Mavisbank House Geophysical Survey
Date 8 March 2016 - 17 March 2016
Event ID 1024720
Category Project
Type Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1024720
NT 28807 65146 The parkland around Mavisbank House is suffering from severe drainage problems, and a programme of geophysical survey was undertaken, 8–17 March 2016, with the aim of identifying buried services and drains, potential activity associated with mining and possible earlier farmsteads. Two areas, the upper and lower terraces of the parkland, were investigated with gradiometry and resistance survey covering a total area of 5.4ha. An additional small survey over a postulated fort to the rear of the house was also carried out.
The survey identified numerous ferrous pipes, terracotta drains and possible stone culverts. While several of these correspond with known drainage features and services, others are thought to have been unknown. The resistance survey also detected anomalies consistent with robber trenches thought to be associated with a former farmstead on the upper terrace.
A small area of GPR survey was undertaken over of a cluster of anomalies thought to possibly be a structure or ground disturbance associated with a chamber situated centrally within the lower terrace. The GPR survey suggests that most of the anomalies are simply due to natural gravel deposits. However, one coherent anomaly has been detected which may be of interest, although it is not clear if it may be associated with mining. The area available for survey over the postulated fort was limited by very steep slopes, dense vegetation and fallen trees. However, strong anomalies suggestive of revetments have been detected and broadly coincide with the existing earthworks. The data also suggest a clear potential entrance. In addition, anomalies indicative of possible structural
remains have been noted although their origin is unclear.
Archive: Rose Geophysical Consultants
Funder: Historic Environment Scotland
Susan Ovenden – Rose Geophysical Consultants
(Source: DES, Volume 17)
