Series: Archaeological Surveys Ltd unpublished report series

A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd, at the request of New Hall Properties (Eastern) Ltd, within an area of land at Gislingham in Suffolk. The survey located a number of very weakly positive linear anomalies, and although it is possible that they relate to cut features, their weak response and lack of coherent morphology prevent confident interpretation. Several discrete positive responses within the field appear to relate to pit-like features that may be anthropogenic in origin. The locations of two relatively recently removed field boundaries can also be seen within the results, as can zones of magnetic debris which may relate to dumped magnetically thermoremnant material around the field margins.

Archaeological Surveys Ltd carried out magnetometry over ten areas representing five separate sites within the parish of Tysoe, Warwickshire. Each site was considered to have potential for Romano-British remains based on fieldwalking evidence, cropmarks or topography. The surveys aimed to improve understanding of the Roman History of Tysoe and the work was funded by the Council for British Archaeology's Mick Aston Archaeology Fund. Survey at Downs Farm, to the south of the village, located a complex area of enclosures and archaeological features covering at least 3.5ha. It is likely that the anomalies represent a farming settlement with its origin sometime in the prehistoric and continuing through the Roman period. Magnetometry carried out over 7.8ha to the north east of Hopkins Farm located extensive anomalies relating to ditches and enclosures associated with Roman and possible prehistoric settlement and agriculture. The survey at Feoffee Farm located several fragmented enclosure ditches were visible in the data but the survey has added little to furthering the understanding of the site. Previously unreported surveys at Madhill indicate a complex area of enclosures and ditches of archaeological potential disturbed by ridge and furrow but lying immediately south of structural remains of Roman origin identified from fieldwalking. Magnetometry was also targeted on Windmill Hill, considered to be a possible Iron Age hill fort, and on circular cropmarks to the west of Tysoe. Although several anomalies of uncertain origin were located at both sites, no anomalies could be confidently interpreted as having archaeological potential.

Archaeological Surveys Ltd carried out a ground penetrating radar survey to the east of Abbey House, Malmesbury, Wiltshire. The survey was limited to paths between garden beds and, as a consequence, interpretation is limited. The results demonstrate the presence of a thick topsoil layer across most of the site underlain by horizons containing features or layers of archaeological potential, generally at 0.6m – 0.8m and extending to a depth of approximately 1.5m deep. A possible wall and former surface or floor were located in the northern part of the area as well as evidence of potential structural remains or debris. Reflections possibly indicative of a former wall and debris were also located in the western part of the site. An area of complex reflections immediately to the north of the circular herb garden could also be related to structural debris, although an area of deep ground make-up or former garden feature is also possible.

A magnetometry survey was carried out over 2ha at Ashton Court, Bristol, in advance of construction of a proposed cycle route. The survey covered a linear corridor some 30m wide and over 600m long adjacent to a wide field boundary. The magnetometry results indicated the presence of a number of positive linear anomalies that could not be confidently interpreted. Two negative anomalies are a response to material with low magnetic enhancement such as subsoil, and it is possible that these relate to former lynchets or other agricultural or landscape features. The site contains several buried services and magnetically thermoremnant material suggesting dumping or ground make-up.

A magnetometer survey was commissioned by WSP Environment and Energy Ltd, to be carried out over a 7.1ha area of land at Ashton Vale, Bristol, ahead of a potential development of the new Bristol City Football Club stadium, residential dwellings and retail units. An initial trial of detailed magnetometry proved that the technique was effective and that the soils were conducive to forming magnetic enhancement. A subsequent survey of all accessible areas located a number of geophysical anomalies that may relate to ditch-like or pit-like features. However, it has not been possible to ascertain the origin of many of these anomalies and although they may have been caused by anthropogenic activity, it is possible that some may be a response to naturally magnetically enhanced soils. Several linear anomalies have been located that appear to be associated with former field boundaries visible on mapping between 1821 and 1938. Several other linear anomalies also relate to agricultural features, possibly associated with improving land drainage. A zone of magnetic disturbance was located in areas adjacent to landfill, forming the northern part of the site, suggesting a high proportion of buried ferrous material. Zones of magnetic debris were frequently encountered and probably relate to ferrous material derived from nearby industrial sites.

A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out along the route of a proposed new water main to the south and west of Malmesbury in Wiltshire. The coverage was over 28ha within 24 separate areas, the majority being 40m or 30m wide corridors, with a zone to the west of Malmesbury surveyed extended over a wider area of cropmarks and geophysical anomalies located during the initial survey. These anomalies relate to a number of ring ditches, some possibly relating to round barrows, with the majority appearing to relate to prehistoric round houses. There are a number of linear ditches, possible trackways and rectilinear enclosures, some of which overlie the ring ditches, indicating they may relate to later, possibly Roman features. A large number of pits have also been located, some may indicate further round houses, others form arcs and linear arrangements. Away from this zone of archaeology, the majority of the other survey areas contain geophysical anomalies of uncertain origin where an assessment of their archaeological potential cannot be confidently made due to the constraints of the survey area, or the fragmented and weak nature of the responses.

A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd over 10ha at Baldwin's Gate Farm, Whitmore, Staffordshire. The survey was requested by Richborough Estates Ltd and carried out in accordance with a brief issued by the county Principal Archaeologist. The western part of the site, Area 1, contains an elongated mound, broader at its northern end and rising to 3m in height. The results show positive responses at the summit of this mound and extending along the north eastern side of the mound. Another broad, weak linear response extends for 145m from the mound towards the south eastern corner of the field. Other positive and negative responses can also be seen in the vicinity of the mound, including two series of pit-like anomalies, one close to the crest of the mound and one further to the north. Within the eastern part of the site, Area 2 contains what appears to be three sides of a rectilinear feature, possibly surrounding natural responses. The rectilinear anomaly has eastern and western sides that are parallel with existing and former land boundaries, and association is possible. Two formerly mapped field boundaries have also been located. Widespread magnetic debris, presumably introduced through manuring, and a number of land drains have also been located.

Detailed magnetometry was carried out within two areas at the Barbury Castle Estate within the parish of Ogbourne St Andrew in Wiltshire. The survey was carried out ahead of tree planting. The results indicate the presence of a positive linear and discrete positive responses within Area 1, situated in a dry valley at Dean Bottom. The survey area lies between two Bronze Age field systems and 200m north of a Bronze Age settlement enclosure and while the anomalies revealed in the survey could relate to ditch-like and pit-like features with an anthropogenic or archaeological origin, a response to natural variations and build-up of soils within the valley base is also possible. Area 2 is located approximately 1km to the north east, near Barbury Castle Farm, and the results indicate the presence of a former boundary ditch that could be a continuation of extant lynchets seen within the field immediately to the north west. A second linear anomaly to the south of it may also have a similar origin.

A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd, ahead of a new construction skills centre at the Bath College Somer Valley Campus in Radstock, Bath & North East Somerset. The survey was carried out using a hand-pushed 5 sensor array. The results demonstrate the presence of widespread magnetic debris, indicative of ground make up, and this may have obscured weaker anomalies. A number of positive linear responses have been located within a car park but these cannot be confidently characterised as cut features. A former field boundary is associated with widespread magnetic debris and to the west of this are a number of linear, curvilinear and discrete positive responses. Again, due to the presence of strongly magnetic debris the origin of the anomalies is uncertain. In the western part of the site are a number of positive and negative linear and rectilinear anomalies, and it is possible that these are associated with the use of this part of the site for allotments during the early 20th century.

A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd at the request of Optimise, along the route of a proposed new water pipe leading from Bailey Hill Reservoir to Baydon Tower in Wiltshire. The survey corridor corresponded with the 20m working width of the pipeline route and extended from the Bailey Hill Reservoir to the M4, a distance of approximately 1600m. The majority of the survey corridor lies within Wiltshire, with a short section crossing into West Berkshire to avoid an active badger sett. The results indicate the presence of several broad negative and some positive linear anomalies that may correspond to early field boundaries within several parts of the survey corridor. Several other positive linear and