Geophysical Survey

Date 18 December 2021

Event ID 1148265

Category Recording

Type Geophysical Survey

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1148265

NS 48126 72971 The HES Archaeological Survey Team undertook geophysical (gradiometer) survey at Carleith Farm, West Dunbartonshire. This forms part of a wider Antonine Wall Geophysical Survey project, which aims to address management and research questions relating to the Antonine Frontier by investigating the extent and significance of sub- surface archaeological remains at various locations within the World Heritage property.

The fieldwork was conducted on 18 December 2021. In total 0.99ha were surveyed using a Sensys MXPDA gradiometer covering a length of the Antonine Wall and a suspected location of a fortlet. The geophysical survey has produced average quality gradiometer results, which have successfully contributed to the aims of the survey. There is a high level of confidence that the chosen methodology and survey strategy was appropriate to assess the archaeological potential of the survey area.

The survey confirmed the course of the Antonine Wall ditch in the eastern part of the survey area but its exact location is unclear in the centre and western areas, due to the occurrence of modern magnetic disturbance. In the western part of the survey area the location of the fortlet was confirmed in a position immediately west of where Lawrence Keppie excavated in 1980 (Proc Soc Antiq Scot 111 (1981), 242–3).

Archive: NRHE

Funder: Historic Scotland Foundation

Nick Hannon – Historic Environment Scotland (HES)

(Source: DES Vol 22)