Restenneth Priory Geophysical Survey

Date 1 June 2019 - 2 June 2019

Event ID 1094165

Category Project

Type Project

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1094165

A geophysical survey was carried out at Restenneth Priory within the guardianship area. Resistance and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys undertaken Both techniques have recorded anomalies within the cloister area which may be associated with the original cloister. However, the origin these anomalies is not clear. It is known that the existing 'cloister' walls are a later construction and one assumes the original cloister lies under or within the foot print of the extant 'cloister' walls on site. Assuming the existing walls overlie the original cloister walls then the responses could be associated with the internal walls of the cloister walk. However, it is entirely possible that these anomalies indicate the external corners of the original cloister suggesting a smaller area within the existing 'cloister' walls. Both techniques have detected anomalies consistent with foundations of walls associated with the Sacristy and the Chapter House / East Range. Within the GPR data a very well defined anomaly has been recorded which may indicate the southern extension of the east range. Within the Nave and to the north of the Nave well-defined low resistance anomalies have been recorded in the resistance survey although the origin of these is unclear. A low response suggests a cut feature like an infilled ditch. It is possible that they are robber trenches associated with earlier phases of the priory. However, they could indicate drains. Additional discrete anomalies of possible archaeological interest have also been recorded by both techniques, although their origin is less clear.

Information from OASIS ID - rosegeop1-361283 (S Ovenden) 2019

Archive: NRHE

Funder: The Graham Hunter Foundation

Susan Ovenden - Rose Geophysical Consultants

(Source: DES Vol 20)