Trent Valley Gravels Geophysics Assessment
David Knight, Mark Pearce, Alison Wilson, 2007. https://doi.org/10.5284/1000299. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © Dr David Knight, Prof Mark Pearce, Alison Wilson unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.
Primary contact
Prof
Mark
Pearce
Department of Classics and Archaeology
University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham
NG6 2RD
England
Tel: 0115 9514820
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 758
- ALSF Project Number: 3887
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000299
- How to cite using this DOI
Beneath the soil from Trent to Nene: Assessment of the performance of geophysical survey in the East Midlands
ALSF Project Number 3887
Dr David Knight, Dr Mark Pearce, and Alison Wilson, 2007
Introduction
The Trent Valley Gravels Geophysics Assessment was funded by the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) as administered by English Heritage.
This research project was developed to assess the effectiveness of geophysical survey methods in an area focused upon the East Midlands, with the addition of Peterborough, Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent. Particular emphasis is placed upon the performance of geophysical survey in the Trent and Nene Valleys. The project outcome is a database of past geophysical survey events in the study area up to the end of 2005, together with a detailed archive report and a published synthesis of the results. The database has been integrated into the English Heritage Geophysical Survey Database, and enhances that resource by approximately 800%. The detailed archive report is available for download.
In order to assess the effectiveness of geophysical surveys, their results are compared to subsequent evaluations and excavations. The conditions under which each survey was conducted are recorded in order to assess the effectiveness of geophysical techniques under different conditions. The project's objective is to assist curators and archaeological contractors in the preparation of archaeological schemes of treatment and ensure more effective use of geophysical methods. The benefits of this project are numerous. If geophysical surveys can be more accurately targeted to areas where they are likely to provide clear results, curators will be better placed to recommend them as an effective risk management method. This will enhance their effectiveness as an evaluation method, and hence will add significantly to their value from the perspective of curators, archaeological contracting organisations and developers.
