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Archaeological Services logo with archaeologist doing resistivity survey as backdrop

Geophysical survey 

Over the last 25 years our experienced teams have conducted geophysical surveys on a wide variety of projects. We regularly provide specialist archaeological geophysical surveys in the pre-determination and post-determination phases of planning applications. 

We provide surveys for a variety of infrastructure projects, including renewable energy schemes such as solar energy, battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind farms and associated cable routes. Our work regularly supports residential and commercial developments, mineral extraction, and linear developments such as pipeline and road schemes. Our geophysics is often an important element in the preparation of heritage management plans, as well as community engagement and volunteer projects.

All work is carried out to current international standards and guidance (CIfA and EAC). Survey techniques we most commonly use include magnetometry (including gradiometry), earth electrical resistance (resistivity) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR).

All our survey data is quickly processed and analysed and provided in a report format suitable for submission to the Local Planning Authority (LPA). Data can be provided in a variety of formats, including full survey-grade CAD and GIS integration. We are happy to discuss full data interoperability.

 

A quadbike pulling a cart-mounted geophysical survey system

Magnetometry survey using our multichannel fluxgate gradiometer towed by quadbike allows fast, high density data collection

Someone doing magnetometer survey over the ramparts of a Roman fort in the snow

Magnetometry survey across the ramparts of a Roman fort in Northumberland

A magnetometer survey greyscale showing various ditches, roundhouses, field boundaries and furrows

Geophysical survey is non-intrusive and cost effective in detecting sub-surface features. Here magnetometry data shows numerous ring ditches and enclosures discovered at a site near Sunderland. These are the remains of round houses from a later-prehistoric or Romano-British settlement

an archaeologist placing earth-electric resistance probes into a frosty lawn outside a stately home

Earth-electrical resistance survey at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

An archaeologist pushing a Ground Penetrating Radar cart with a white building in the background

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey in Nepal

a greyscale map of gpr data showing buried archaeological features, including a former church and buildings along a street front

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey data revealed a very large building at a depth of 0.5m below the surface of a site in Sri Lanka