West Yorkshire Archaeological Service Geophysical Survey Archive
Archaeological Services WYAS, 2002. https://doi.org/10.5284/1000335. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © Archaeological Services WYAS unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.
Primary contact
Ian
Sanderson
Archaeological Services WYAS
Nepshaw Lane South
Morley
Leeds
LS27 7JQ
UK
Tel: 01924 306798
Fax: 01924 306810
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 320
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000335
- How to cite using this DOI
Overview
The archive contains the results of surveys of the following sites:
Adwalton Moor, Drighlington, West Yorkshire (1998)
Adwalton Moor near Drighlington is a possible site of a major Civil War battle. In advance of development proposals a gradiometer survey was carried out in May 1998 over sample areas totalling 4.4 hectares. The survey was carried out using a Geoscan FM36 fluxgate gradiometer and ST1 sample trigger. Readings were taken at 0.5m intervals on zig-zag traverses 1m apart within 20m by 20m square grids. Eight hundred readings were taken in each grid and in-house software (Geocon Version 9) was used to interpolate the "missing" line of data so that 1600 readings in total were obtained for each complete grid.
Many linear anomalies were identified but it is thought that they reflect former agricultural practices (ridge and furrow ploughing) and recent attempts to improve drainage over the site rather than archaeological features. An area of possible industrial activity was identified and also a possible trackway of unknown date.
Bramham Road, Thorner, West Yorkshire (1997)
A detailed magnetometer survey using a Geoscan FM36 fluxgate gradiometer was carried out over a 3.64ha area. The gradiometer survey identified linear anomalies representing a possible field system with enclosures, areas of magnetic enhancement, which may indicate quarrying activity, two major orientations of ridge and furrow and two linear anomalies which may indicate the presence of a Roman road. A high pressure gas pipe and a number of isolated dipolar anomalies, "iron spikes", caused by modern ferrous contamination, could also be observed.
Castle Hill, Almondbury, West Yorkshire (1995)
A geophysical survey was carried out within the fortified site and in the annexe area at Castle Hill, Almondbury, to enhance the archaeological record and to aid decisions relating to the management of the monument. Anomalies attributed to infilled excavation trenches were identified in the Middle and Outer Wards together with anomalies caused by modern service pipes and ridge and furrow ploughing. In the Annexe a possible sub-rectangular structure has been identified south of an anomaly thought to locate Varley's 'bothy'. Traces of a buried enclosing earthwork have also been identified.
Land off Church Lane, Normanton, West Yorkshire (1997)
A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out over an area of 5 hectares east of Church Lane, Normanton, to determine the presence and extent of any sub-surface archaeological remains within the survey area and to ascertain whether a feature identified in an earlier survey continued into, and was detectable under, an adjoining golf course. The site lies in a region in which cropmark evidence of prehistoric and Romano-British settlements and fields is commonplace.
Very strong responses from ridge and furrow ploughing were observed in the east of the survey area, together with anomalies thought to be caused by recent land drainage.
The anomaly identified in an earlier survey was not observed continuing into the golf course. No other archaeological anomalies were identified.
Cross Lane, Drighlington, West Yorkshire (2000)
A geophysical survey, covering 3 hectares, was carried out along the proposed route of a foul water sewer. The route crossed part of the area designated by English Heritage as the site of the Battle of Adwalton Moor (June 30th 1643). This battle was, after Marston Moor, the most important in the north of England during the First Civil War (1642-1646). An archaeological assessment of part of the designated battlefield area has previously been undertaken by Archaeological Services WYAS. This comprised an air photo assessment, sample gradiometer and metal detector surveys and test pitting. This assessment provided no evidence of a battlefield site within the area studied.
Anomalies caused by infilled field boundary ditches and modern/medieval ploughing were identified. A large, isolated, dipolar anomaly could locate a bell pit. It is possible that several of the linear anomalies may have an archaeological origin but without other supporting evidence a more definitive interpretation cannot be given.
Land at the junction of Doncaster Road & Field Lane, South Elmsall, West Yorkshire (1998)
geophysical survey on land at the junction of Doncaster Road and Field Lane, South Elmsall to determine the presence and extent of any sub-surface archaeological remains within the application area and if possible to characterise any such features.
Several anomalies of possible archaeological origin were identified during the survey. These responses are typical of infilled ditches, perhaps forming part of the major system of land division/enclosure identified immediately west of the current site during earlier geophysical surveys and subsequent excavations.
Pontefract Castle, Pontefract, Pontefract, West Yorkshire (1998)
Archaeological Services (WYAS) carried out an earth resistance survey within the Inner Bailey of Pontefract Castle, West Yorkshire
The objectives of the survey were to expand upon and enhance a previous earth resistance survey that had been carried out within the Inner Bailey. The data from this earlier survey had been hand recorded and is no longer available. It was therefore hoped that a more comprehensive survey, coupled with modern survey procedure (data logging) and processing, would enhance the archaeological record for this part of the monument.
The survey covered all of the Inner Bailey (c. 0.7 hectares), and an area to the south-west of the revetment wall adjacent to the "north tower" and motte.
The solid geology comprises sandstones of the Carboniferous Upper Coal Measures which are cross-bedded and which are known to weather rapidly where they outcrop. Overlying the bedrock is a variable depth of overburden that in places within the Inner Bailey results in the current ground surface being between 2m and 2.5m above the 11th century ground surface.
It was recognised that this depth of overburden could potentially affect the resolution of any deeply buried anomalies so three areas were resurveyed with the mobile probe separation increased to 1m. It was hoped that the theoretical increased depth penetration afforded by this set-up would improve the resolution of the anomalies detected in the initial survey and possibly reveal other anomalies.
High resistance anomalies interpreted as archaeological structural features and a low resistance anomaly possibly representing the motte ditch were detected, although the latter anomaly may reflect underlying changes in the depth and composition of the subsoil.
Royd Edge and Oldfield Hill Earthworks, Meltham, West Yorkshire (2000)
Magnetometer surveys were undertaken at two earthwork enclosure sites south-west of Huddersfield. The objectives were to determine whether gradiometry is a suitable technique for identifying archaeological features on Millstone Grit geology and if there is any evidence for other domestic activity or for a ditched field system outside the main enclosures. Although outwardly similar in form and function the magnetic responses from the monuments are markedly different. At Oldfield Hill there was virtually no detectable response from the infilled ditch. It is thought that this primarily reflects the high percentage of stone in the fill. At Royd Edge the infill is predominantly silty soil and the ditch gives a strong magnetic signal thereby demonstrating that archaeological features can be identified on Millstone Grit geology under the right conditions. Isolated anomalies thought to be caused by archaeological activity have been identified inside both enclosures. There is no geophysical evidence for the continuation of archaeological activity outside the enclosure at Royd Edge but isolated responses north of the enclosure at Oldfield Hill could be indicative of further human activity.
St. Johns Priory, Pontefract, West Yorkshire (1998)
A resistance survey covering an area of 2.2ha was carried out at the site of St. Johns Priory, Pontefract, a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Anomalies caused by the previously excavated structural remains of the cloister, new chapter house and parts of the church can be readily identified. Many other high resistance linear anomalies that possibly also represent structural remains have been identified in areas that have not previously been excavated. However, the depth of 'dissolution debris' and quarry waste make definitive interpretations difficult. Curvi-linear anomalies were also detected that may caused by trenches relating to the siege of Pontefract Castle during the Civil War.
Land at Santingley Lane, Crofton, Wakefield (1998)
A magnetometer survey covering 1.5 hectares was carried out over the site of a proposed housing development at Santingley Lane, Crofton. Despite severe magnetic disturbance, caused by ferrous contamination in the topsoil, linear anomalies thought to be part of a Romano-British enclosure system have been identified. Anomalies caused by modern service pipes were also identified.
An additional gradiometer survey totalling 0.72 hectares was carried out at the same site. A discontinuous linear anomaly, thought to be a continuation of a ditch forming part of the possible Romano-British enclosure system, two parallel anomalies, indicative of a double ditch trackway, and four positive isolated anomalies, possibly representing pits or areas of burning were detected.
Land at Stair Foot Lane, Alwoodley, Leeds (1999)
The geophysical survey was prompted by a proposal to plant oak trees in the field bordering Stair Foot Lane. The highest part of the site is in the northern corner which enjoys a dominating outlook to the south towards Leeds. From this high point the land slopes down both to the south and south-west. There are no known archaeological features within the site itself but in the woodland to the east of the site there is a carved boulder bearing the image of a figure which probably dates to the Iron Age. Also in the surrounding woods are a number of collapsed boulder walls which are thought could also date to the same period.
The geophysical survey covered approximately 1.5 hectares. A Geoscan FM36 fluxgate gradiometer and ST1 sample trigger were used to take readings at 0.5m intervals on zig-zag traverses 1m apart within 20m by 20m square grids.
A linear anomaly, which may have an archaeological origin, was identified, which was probably geological in origin. Other linear responses are probably caused by pathways and by ridge and furrow ploughing.
South Kirkby Camp, South Kirkby, West Yorkshire (1997)
A magnetometer survey was carried out over a 4.0ha area at South Kirkby Iron Age Camp, South Kirkby, West Yorkshire. The object of the survey was to determine whether there was any evidence for the presence of a reported southern annexe to the camp and, if possible, to determine the limits of the site. It was also hoped to evaluate the presence and extent of any sub-surface archaeological remains within the scheduled area and, where possible, to characterise the archaeology thus located.
The gradiometry data revealed no evidence for the presence of an attached southern annexe. Inside the scheduled monument there are anomalies which are of possible archaeological origin and which may indicate the presence of a second, inner ditch and an internal enclosure.
Land north-east of Wenthill Plantation, Darrington, West Yorkshire (1999)
A geophysical survey, covering an area of c. 8 hectares, was carried out along the ridge north-east of Wenthill Plantation. Aerial photographs show a concentration of cropmarks both on the site and to the north and south. Limited fieldwalking has recovered sherds of high status Roman pottery from the site. It was therefore considered possible that there may be a Roman villa within the area investigated.
The gradiometer survey has identified anomalies caused by infilled ditches which form a system of ancient land division and enclosure which extends along the whole length of the survey area. Numerous isolated discrete anomalies have also been identified. Although some probably have a geological origin many are thought to be caused by archaeological features such as pits, post-holes or other features indicative of human activity/occupation. There is also evidence for ridge and furrow ploughing and of geological features. No definite evidence for a villa has been identified from this geophysical survey.
