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St Andrews Cathedral Geophysical Survey
Date 22 March 2018 - 26 April 2018
Event ID 1105498
Category Project
Type Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1105498
NO 51415 16687 A programme of geophysical survey was undertaken, 22 March – 4 April 2018 (Phase 1) and 23 – 26 April 2018 (Phase 2), within and around St Andrews Cathedral, the adjacent graveyard and St Mary on the Rock, which lies just to the E of the cathedral graveyard. A total area of 1.8ha of gradiometry and resistance data and 1ha of GPR data were collected.
Gradiometer and resistance surveys were carried out within and around the cathedral complex and at St Mary on the Rock; GPR survey was undertaken within the graveyard to the N and E of the cathedral.
Survey within and around the cathedral has recorded a wide variety of responses. However, the majority of these appear to be associated with past excavation, landscaping and consolidation of the site. Several anomalies have been detected which relate to more recent occupation of the site and show good correlation with earlier maps. However, the resistance survey has detected several well-defined anomalies which indicate the potential for some survival of buried in situ structural remains of archaeological significance. More ephemeral responses have also been noted which suggest earlier layouts of the cloister area.
The results from the survey over St Mary on the Rock are dominated by responses from modern landscaping of the area. However, one very well-defined linear anomaly has been noted which may be associated with remnants of the southern transept of the church.
The GPR survey of the graveyard indicates extensive burials of potentially different phases. Two possible structures have been detected that may be of archaeological interest. There is evidence within the data for a potential structure, c20 x 8m on an E/W alignment situated between the cathedral and St Rules Tower. A further well-defined anomaly has been recorded to the N of the cathedral and suggests a possible 10 x 4m feature at some depth. The origin of this anomaly is not clear, but its strength suggests it may be due to a void or at least very ‘hard’ material such as a discrete area of rubble or flooring.
Archive: Rose Geophysical Consultants
Funder: CFA Archaeology on behalf of HES
Susan Ovenden – Rose Geophysical Consultants
(Source: DES Vol 19)
