Geophysical surveys

Fast response mobile geophysical services for developers

Geophysical survey is regularly required by Local Authority Planning Archaeologists at an early stage in the planning process, usually prior to determination of a planning application to determine the presence and extent of buried archaeological remains at a proposed development site.

The Wardell Armstrong Archaeology geophysics team provide a fast response, competitive service. Customers include organisations involved in commercial development, as well as archaeological contractors who do not possess the relevant in-house capabilities.

Inexpensive and effective risk management

For a developer, geophysical survey is a relatively inexpensive and speedy method of establishing the presence of potential archaeological remains within a development site and serves to highlight potential risks to development at an early stage. This helps to inform a developer about possible time and cost implications.

The types of projects that can benefit from geophysical survey include:-

Housing developments on green field sites
Road schemes
Mineral extraction
Pipeline schemes
Wind farms, solar farms
Rural commercial developments.

Geophysical survey may also be employed on a smaller scale, ahead of a wide range of developments involving ground disturbance.

Geophysical techniques

Geomagnetic survey is used, which measures changes in the earth’s magnetic field. This is a rapid, cost-effective method of detecting a wide range of archaeological features such as pits and ditches, as well as modern services, metallic or fired structures, such as kilns or hearths.

Earth Resistance Survey is also employed, which utilises a resistance meter to detect changes in sub-surface resistance from moisture retention in soil which can correspond to the location of archaeological features, such as ditches and pits, or buried stone-built foundations.

Other techniques are employed as required, including Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) which can detect buried structures such as building foundations, mine shafts and voids.