SURVEY RESULTS

99 / 50 Basing House

1.	Survey Area

1.1	Gradiometry (0.5ha) and resistivity (0.3ha) surveys were carried out at the site of the 17th century house beside the tithe barn, Area A. Approximately 0.04ha of resistance survey was conducted at the New House site, Area B.

1.2	The survey grid was set out by GSB Prospection and tied in by RCHME personnel. Figure 1 shows the locations of the survey areas and those of the previous work at a scale of 1:2500.

2.	Display

2.1	The results are displayed as X-Y traces, dot density plots and grey scale images. These display formats are discussed in the Technical Information section at the end of the text.

2.2	Numbers in parentheses in the text of the report refer to anomalies highlighted in the relevant interpretation diagram

3.	General Considerations - Complicating Factors

3.1	Ground conditions at the time of the survey were generally good, most of the survey areas had a short vegetation cover and were free of major obstacles.

3.2	Interpretation of small areas of resistance survey is difficult because it is not possible to recognise and take into account broad changes in response caused by natural moisture variations and geological changes.

4.	Results of Detailed Survey

Area A

Resistance Survey

4.1	Survey was extended westward from the original survey area over a footpath, after the removal of a wooden fence. A narrow low resistance anomaly in the southeastern corner of the survey area is thought to indicate the line of the fence.

4.2	The results show a continuation of possible wall footings and rubble spread recorded along the eastern edge of the previous survey. Unfortunately, the results do not help to define any individual buildings within this extensive area of high resistance.

4.3	Resistance survey was extended westward into an area that was overgrown and inaccessible at the time of the previous work. The northwestern corner of the block contained trees and undergrowth that made data collection difficult and has probably added to the noisy nature of the results. Some of the noise can be attributed to building debris and disturbed deposits. Possible building remains may lie in the southwestern corner of the survey extension.

4.4	A series of high resistance anomalies, dividing the remaining area into four equal quadrants, has been detected. The anomalies are assumed to be pathways contained within a formal garden. However, the westernmost element is aligned with a long high resistance anomaly to the north that is thought to represent a former boundary.

Gradiometer Survey

4.5	Increased magnetic response in the southwestern corner of the survey area coincides with regions of high resistance that relate to possible building remains. This is consistent with magnetic responses produced by brick debris. The level of magnetic response declines toward the northeast in the area thought to relate to gardens, and where magnetic enhancement is likely to be lower.

4.6	A number of linear responses and weaker magnetic trends have been recorded that share the same orientation as linear high resistance anomalies. Two anomalies (A) and (B), coincide precisely and are thought to relate to brick wall footings and/or robber trenches. Anomaly (A) correlates with the boundary features described in Section 4.4 above. It is possible that some of the responses relate to garden features and possibly cinder paths.

4.7	Excavations carried out following the geophysical survey showed that the position of the 17th century house was different to that suggested by the earlier resistance survey. The remains of the building, which were found to have been largely robbed out, coincided with anomaly (E). Anomalies (D) appeared to have been produced by rubble-filled garden features. 

Area B

Resistance Survey

4.8	A linear high resistance feature has been recorded that has been produced by a trackway that runs around the edge of the site. It is visible on the ground and has been recorded in previous survey areas.

4.9	Two short linear responses have been identified that appear to be the remains of wall footings emerging from the bank immediately to the south and truncated by the cut of the Basing Canal. These were confirmed by excavation, though their precise purpose and relationship with the New House was not established.

5.	Conclusions

5.1	Geophysical survey carried out over the remains of the New House has added further detail to the results of the previous survey. Features associated with a possible formal garden have been identified in the southeastern corner of the survey area.

5.2	Excavations on the site of the 17th century house interpreted from the results of the previous survey, uncovered rubble-filled garden features. The site of the house was uncovered to the southwest of that suggested by the earlier resistance work.

5.3	Resistance survey at the site of the New House recorded wall anomalies that were confirmed by subsequent excavations.

Project Co-ordinator:	D Shiel
Project Assistants:	Dr C F Gaffney, J Gater, L Harvey, F Robertson & A Shields

Date of Survey:		29th March 1999
Date of Report:		2nd July 1999

References:

GSB, 1998	Report on the Geophysical Survey at Basing House, Basingstoke. Report No 98/62. GSB Prospection 1999. Unpublished report.

GSB, 1999	Report on the Geophysical Survey at Basing House, Basingstoke. Report No. 99/25. GSB Prospection 1999. Unpublished report.

SSEW, 1983	Soils of England and Wales. Sheet x, Somewhere in England. Soil Survey of England 		and Wales.

SITE SUMMARY SHEET

99 / 50 Basing House

NGR: SU 662 528

Location, topography and geology 

The remains of Basing House lie on the western outskirts of Old Basing, approximately 2.5km due east of Basingstoke, Berkshire. Two areas were investigated: Area A adjacent and to the east of the tithe barn; and Area B to the south of the Basing Canal. The underlying geology is chalk and the soils are deep calcareous and non-calcareous fine silts characteristic of the Andover 1 (343h) association. However, adjacent to the River Lodden in the northern part of the site, the soils comprise river alluvium and peat of the Adventurers’ 3 (1024c) association (SSEW, 1983).

Archaeology

The ringwork or motte and bailey castle at Basing House dates from around the 12th century. By the 16th century a large house including a number of gateways and courtyards had developed. The house was destroyed during The Siege of 1643-5 and the succeeding years saw clearance and landscaping of the site; significant disturbance was caused by the construction of the Basingstoke canal. The size and shape of the house are not known precisely and records of excavations in the Victorian period and the early part of this century are not available. This part of the site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Work carried out by GSB Prospection (GSB) recorded features relating to remains of a 17th century house and formal garden in the field to the east of the Tudor barn. Survey has also been carried out in the Outer Bailey and at the site of the New House where other anomalies of archaeological interest, were recorded (GSB, 1998 & 1999).

Aims of Survey

Both resistivity and gradiometer survey were used to identify features for excavation as part of an archaeological investigation by Time Team for Channel 4 television.

Summary of Results *

Survey at the site of the New House added more detail to that recorded in the previous surveys (GSB 1998 & 1999). In particular, the remains of a formal garden, indicated by a pattern of pathways, were recorded in the southeastern corner of the survey area. Subsequent excavations on the site of the 17th century house interpreted from the results of the previous survey uncovered rubble filled garden features. The site of the house was uncovered to the southwest of that suggested by the earlier resistance work. Survey and subsequent excavation uncovered wall remains associated with the New House beside the Basing Canal.

* It is essential that this summary is read in conjunction with the detailed results of the survey.

List of Figures

Figure 1		Location of Survey Areas						1:1250
Figure 2		Summary Interpretation						1:1250
Figure 3		Areas A & B: Grey Scale Image - Raw Data				1:625
Figure 4		Area A: Grey Scale Images - Processed Data				Not to Scale
Figure 5		Areas A & B: Interpretation					1:625
Figure 6		Area A: XY Trace, Dot Density Plot and Interpretation		1:625