Magnetometry

Date 23 August 2006

Event ID 550947

Category Recording

Type Magnetometry

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/550947

HY 295 210 This geophysical survey was commissioned by Bracewell Stirling Architects on behalf of Orkney Housing Association, as part of an archaeological evaluation in advance of a proposed housing development. A gradiometer survey was undertaken on 23 August 2006 over an area of just under 1ha covering the entire proposed development area and the scheduled burnt mounds. As well as confirming the presence of burnt material within the burnt mounds, the gradiometer survey has highlighted a number of more ephemeral magnetic anomalies outside the scheduled area that may be of archaeological significance. The survey has also highlighted areas of ridge-and-furrow ploughing. As ploughing itself does not magnetically enhance the soil, this suggests that these ploughing anomalies may be visible because they have disturbed magnetically enhanced material, possibly of archaeological origin.

Archive lodged with Geophysics Unit, Orkney College.

Sponsor: Orkney Housing Association.

S Ovenden 2006