Latest Blog Posts from Archaeological Surveys Ltd https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/feed/ Banbury Radio Station was constructed in 1921 as the British receiving station for the first link in the Imperial Wireless Chain. The site received signals from a transmitter in Egypt at Abu Zabal, the British transmitter site was located about 17 miles from Banbury at Langley near Leafield, together the stations were known in the 1920s as the and#39;Oxford Stationand#39;. As technology developed and the requirements of the Imperial Wireless Chain changed, Banbury became redundant in the late 1920s and was only in occasional use up until WWII when evacuees from the GPOand#39;s Dollis Hill site arrived. Much of the work during WWII was related to the production of crystals for radio equipment. In the postand#45;WWII period the site became known as Banbury Radio Measuring Station and was involved in the organisation and monitoring of the radio spectrum. The site closed in the late 1960s and shortly after was demolished ahead of the construction of housing at the south eastern edge of Banbury. Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/27/Banbury-Radio-Station/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/27/Banbury-Radio-Station/ Archaeological Surveys Director Kerry Donaldson recently presented geophysical results from a survey along a Thames Water pipeline route that revealed a number of new Highworth Circles. Kerry discussed what is known about these unique and enigmatic features and how the new discoveries fit into the wider landscape. David Sabin manned a poster display at the conference which included images and articles on Devizes Wireless Station, Wroughton Wireless Receiving Station and work on the recently scheduled Roman settlement site at Chipping Norton, as well as a number of other large Roman sites around Swindon. Wed, 27 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/26/Wiltshire-Archaeology-Conference/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/26/Wiltshire-Archaeology-Conference/ Wroughton Wireless Station was the receiving station for the first transatlantic wireless telephone service which began operation in 1927. The site was located at Rectory Farm which was demolished to make way for the construction of RAF Wroughton. The significant role of the station within the development of wireless communication is generally poorly known although it is briefly mentioned in archives relating to Rugby Radio Station, the transmitter for the telephone service, and images are present in the BT Archive. Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/25/Wroughton-Wireless-Station-transatlantic-wireless-telephone-communication/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/25/Wroughton-Wireless-Station-transatlantic-wireless-telephone-communication/ In 1923 the Marconi Company were interested in purchasing several thousand acres of land at Avebury for the construction of a wireless station. Concerns were raised regarding the impact on the archaeology of the area and Alexander Keiller famously purchased Windmill Hill to protect it from the construction of masts. The 1920s were are period of rapid technological development in wireless communication and it is unclear what the company intended to build at the siteand#59; references to 800 feet high masts may infer a long wave station that was actually constructed by the GPO at Rugby. However, at this time Marconi experimentation with short waves led to the development of the Marconi Beam Wireless system that had many advantages over long waves for long distance communication. Radio press releases at the time may infer that the company intended to construct a number of beam stations at Avebury, and possibly a sister station to Rugby Radio. Although there was opposition to Marconiand#39;s intentions at Avebury by the archaeological community, the Wiltshire Archaeological Society did not raise any objectionsand#59; however, some members felt that the committee had been schmoozed by Marconi and disagreed. The wireless station was never built although this may have been as much to do with politics and technological factors along with the archaeological concerns. Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/24/Avebury-Wireless-Station/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/24/Avebury-Wireless-Station/ Devizes Wireless Station was a shortand#45;lived site but played a remarkable part in wireless development in the early 20th century from just preand#45;WWI to the late 1920s. Initially the first receiving station constructed by Marconi as part of the Imperial Wireless Chain, then used by the military in WWI for direction finding and intelligence and#40;MI1eand#41; and finally maritime communications in the postand#45;war period with demolition in 1929. Fri, 13 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/23/Devizes-Wireless-Station/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/23/Devizes-Wireless-Station/ Magnetic susceptibility measurement of iron ore samples from Seend. Wed, 14 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/22/Roman-Iron-Working-Seend-Wiltshire/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/22/Roman-Iron-Working-Seend-Wiltshire/ With high temperatures becoming more frequent in British summers, Archaeological Surveys Ltd consider the risks of overheating and heat exhaustion when carrying out geophysical survey. Tue, 11 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/20/Geophysical-survey-risks-due-to-hot-weather/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/20/Geophysical-survey-risks-due-to-hot-weather/ This short article takes a look at the current state of standards and guidance for archaeological geophysics in England with particular regard to commercial practice. Wed, 8 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/19/Standards-Guidance-Archaeological-Geophysics/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/19/Standards-Guidance-Archaeological-Geophysics/ Francis George Sabin passed away in September 2019 after several years of struggling with a number of degenerative illnesses. Francis provided valuable support to Archaeological Surveys Ltd after a long career in engineering. Mon, 4 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/16/Francis-George-Sabin-obituary/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/16/Francis-George-Sabin-obituary/ Archaeological Surveys Ltd was commissioned by the Malmesbury History Society to undertake a ground penetrating radar and#40;GPRand#41; survey of accessible areas around the abbey and adjacent areas. Variable results were obtained but include anomalies relating to the northern cloister, the crossing, presbytery and transepts. Fragments of the abbey complex were also located by GPR surveying within Abbey House Gardens to the east and behind The Old Bell Hotel to the north west. The GPR survey also located fragments of St Pauland#39;s church to the south of the abbey. No significant features were identified within the churchyard to the south of the abbey, although the GPR profiles indicate the presence of a very large number of graves probably confirming the area had been used for burial by the town from the medieval up until the Victorian period. The GPR results within the abbey were poor probably as a result of the floor and shallow subsurface makeand#45;upand#59; despite the presence of numerous memorial ledgers within the floor, there was very little evidence for graves below it, and although 19th and 20th century renovations may have removed them, it is possible that high levels of GPR absorption have restricted penetration. Fri, 19 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/15/Malmesbury-Abbey-Ground-Penetrating-Radar-Survey/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/15/Malmesbury-Abbey-Ground-Penetrating-Radar-Survey/ Magnetometry carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd at Aldbourne, Wiltshire, has successfully located anomalies relating to Nissen huts used by Easy Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division of the US army preparing for Dand#45;Day. Subsequent excavation, as part of Operation Nightingale, revealed concrete pads forming the foundations of one of the huts along with finds dating to the use and occupation of the site. Wed, 12 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/14/Magnetometry-Band-of-Brothers-Nissen-huts-Aldbourne/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/14/Magnetometry-Band-of-Brothers-Nissen-huts-Aldbourne/ Magnetic debris is located by virtually all magnetometry surveys and often dismissed as modern topsoil junk. However, we shouldnand#39;t be too hasty in considering this material insignificant, it represents something and perhaps could be the only archaeological evidence of a past event, activity, settlement, etc. This article considers sources of magnetic debris and what sort of archaeological information may be derived from it. Thu, 18 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/13/Magnetic-debris-overlooked/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/13/Magnetic-debris-overlooked/ My day of work with Archaeological Surveys LTD carrying out a ground penetrating RADAR survey. Tue, 12 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/12/World-of-Work-Day/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/12/World-of-Work-Day/ Magnetometry undertaken at Tysoe, Warwickshire in 2017 and 2018 has revealed further evidence for extensive Romanoand#45;British and prehistoric settlement. Several sites previously identified by fieldwalking in the 1990s, and geophysics in 2010and#47;2011, were chosen for additional wide area magnetometry survey. The results indicate numerous enclosures, field systems and track ways surrounding core settlement areas. The complexity of many of the sites infers long periods of settlement, possibly from the Bronze Age to the end of the Roman period. Sat, 12 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/9/Roman-Prehistoric-Tysoe/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/9/Roman-Prehistoric-Tysoe/ Magnetometry with Sensys FGM650 gradiometers. Archaeological Surveys director David Sabin considers the benefits of using fixed tension band gradiometers, particularly for cartand#45;based surveys. Wed, 9 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/11/Sensys-magnetometer/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/11/Sensys-magnetometer/ The Stonehenge Chubb Centenary Day, at Shrewton near Stonehenge, included several cricket matches between teams of archaeologists and Shrewton village. Cecil Chubb, born at Shrewton and a cricketer for the village, bought Stonehenge at auction in 1915 and gifted the monument to the nation in 1918. The cricket matches were played in good spirit with some of the archaeologists dressing for the period. Thu, 26 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/10/Cricket-Stonehenge-Chubb-Centenary-Shrewton/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/10/Cricket-Stonehenge-Chubb-Centenary-Shrewton/ A geophysical survey was undertaken within a single arable field at East Kennett Manor Farm near Marlborough, at the request of landowners Mr and Mrs James Cameron. The survey was carried out over the site of a scheduled bowl barrow, 200m east of East Kennett long barrow forming part of a barrow cemetery and#40;Monument Noand#58; 1014036 and#40;SM 28103and#41;and#41; under the Environmental Stewardship Higher Level Scheme, which aims to protect the underlying archaeology within the field. Thu, 1 May 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/8/East-Kennett-Long-Barrow/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/8/East-Kennett-Long-Barrow/ A detailed magnetometer survey surrounding the Neolithic long barrow known as West Barrow, at Leighterton in Gloucestershire, was undertaken by Archaeological Surveys Ltd. The survey was commissioned by Gloucestershire County Council Archaeology Service as part of works aiming to prevent further damage to the monument by badgers. The results revealed a number of large amorphous quarry pits surrounding the barrow. Two ring ditches have also been located to the south of the barrow, with some evidence for internal features and their small diameters and#40;approximately 8and#45;10mand#41; suggesting they may relate to former round houses. Wed, 1 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/7/Leighterton-Long-Barrow/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/7/Leighterton-Long-Barrow/ Archaeological Surveys Ltd was commissioned by Wiltshire Council Archaeology Service to undertake a geophysical survey of Lugbury Long Barrow near Nettleton, Wiltshire. The survey was requested due to the continued impact of ploughing on the barrow which is designated a Scheduled Monument and#40;SM 12290and#41;. The work has been carried out under the Monument Management Scheme funded by English Heritage. Mon, 1 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/6/Lugbury-Long-Barrow/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/6/Lugbury-Long-Barrow/ Excavations close to Truckle Hill Roman Villa in Wiltshire have revealed a remote bath house perched on the edge of a wooded valley. There appears to be a number of phases to the building, with incredible preservation of some of the walls due to hillwash debris that has buried the site with up to 2m of soil. Archaeological Surveys Ltd have carried out numerous research surveys across the site with interesting results, and we were commissioned to carry out geophysics and LiDAR analysis across the main villa site and surrounding area. Sat, 1 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/5/Truckle-Hill-Roman-Villa/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/5/Truckle-Hill-Roman-Villa/ Unsurprisingly, the village of Castle Combe in Wiltshire owes part of its name to an unusual motte and bailey castle situated on a spur of limestone close to the village. Although no excavation has taken place at the site, it is generally thought that most of the earthworks and masonry date to the and#39;anarchy periodand#39; of the twelfth century. Thu, 1 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/4/Castle-Combe-Castle/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/4/Castle-Combe-Castle/ During fieldwork carried out in the parish of Pillerton Priors in Warwickshire, a high status Roman building was located. The villa is an important find in the region where few high status Roman sites are known. Tue, 1 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/3/Pillerton-Priors-Roman-Villa/ https://www.archaeological-surveys.co.uk/article/3/Pillerton-Priors-Roman-Villa/