Forteviot Village Geophysical Survey

Date 4 July 2011 - 6 July 2011

Event ID 964880

Category Project

Type Project

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/964880

NO 05144 17480 A geophysical survey was undertaken 4–6 July 2011 at four separate locations in Forteviot village, prior to the start of the SERF field school. The combination of gradiometer and multiplexed resistivity surveys carried out in the empty plot of land at the W end of the village known as the Haly Hill, at Forteviot Church burial ground, and on two areas in the grounds the Manse (Greylag House), revealed numerous anomalies that probably date from medieval to modern periods.

The Haly Hill survey revealed numerous rectilinear anomalies, which would appear to relate to the road and associated farm buildings shown on the 1st Edition OS map. The substantial variation in the multiplexed resistivity plots hint at a deep stratigraphy of occupation.

A gradiometer survey on the lawn of the former parish manse (now Greylag House) revealed what appear to be the foundations of medieval or post-medieval stone-built structures, probably relating to the manse and associated outbuildings. A weakly defined E–W linear anomaly was recorded across the length of the survey area. This may relate to the garden features depicted on the 1st Edition OS map, or the linear boundary ditch seen as a cropmark to the E of the manse, which was excavated by Ewan Campbell for the SERF project in 2010. A small area of the adjacent paddock was also surveyed, but this was heavily disturbed by modern service trenches and the results were inconclusive.

An exploratory grid of gradiometer survey was undertaken in the parish churchyard, including sections of both the medieval churchyard and the modern extension. Due to disturbance from post-medieval lairs and modern nailed coffins, the survey was inconclusive. The only clear feature was the line of the former boundary wall, which is still apparent on the ground surface. Due to the presence of fragile recumbent grave slabs, resistivity was not attempted in the churchyard.

Archive: University of Glasgow and RCAHMS (intended)

Funder: Historic Scotland and University of Glasgow

University of Glasgow, 2011