Archaeology Notes

Event ID 858117

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/858117

HU44SE 3 01 47563 41556

HU 475 415 The aims of the geophysical investigations at Fort Charlotte were to attempt to determine the condition, and in places extent, of the fort walls and provide information on the depth of the bedrock. Resistance and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey were undertaken in May 2006 over two small areas (70 x 30m and 20 x 30m) of lawn behind the Fort walls. GPR data were collected down the outside of the fort walls using a 900MHz antenna with the aim of providing information regarding the construction and thickness of the wall. Survey of the lawned area behind the Fort walls has produced some useful results. GPR has provided some information on the bedrock profile, suggesting a very varied bedrock interface, but there are clear indications of the bedrock falling away rapidly 'behind' the Fort wall. Resistance survey has identified several discrete rectilinear anomalies which may be significant. In addition, general variations in background resistance, indicating marked variations in soil moisture content, have been identified. GPR survey of the Fort walls proved disappointing due to problems with access to the wall and interference from a nearby radio transmitter. Only very broad changes were noted which are not conclusive.

Archive lodged with Geophysics Unit, Orkney College, Kirkwall, Orkney.

Sponsor: Historic Scotland.

Susan Ovenden, 2006.