Investigating our Landscape with hands-on geophysical surveying

Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust

Investigating our Landscape with hands-on geophysical surveying
Geophysics Field School, Abbeycwmhir, Radnorshire lead by Dr Ian Brooks

Saint Harmon

The aim of these ‘taster sessions’ will be to demonstrate the technique of geophysical surveying in the context of archaeology. Ian will be demonstrating two surveying techniques: resistivity and magnetometry. Both techniques detect very small changes in soil characteristics in the upper 0.5-1.0m of the ground and are used as reconnaissance methods to look for indicators of features of archaeological interest. The attraction of this field school is that, as well as learning aspects of the heritage of the area, those attending will be able to use the equipment themselves and Ian will show findings from the surveying at the end of each day. 
The geophysical surveying will take place at Cwmffwrn Farm near Abbeycwmhir, where we are fortunate to still find building platforms and banks and ditches with likely ancient origins. The location was part of the medieval Home Grange of Cwmhir Abbey.
Over the course of the 3 days of the Field School we hope to investigate 4 locations within the farm including two building platforms, a circular bank and a possible Bronze Age cairn. Each day will be stand-alone, and as the demonstration of the methods is best achieved with small groups of up to 6-7 people, we recommend that anyone interested in joining us attends for one day only. Whilst we would love to find suggestions of a Bronze Age burial chamber or a farmstead midden, such results are not of course guaranteed.
It is our hope that, as a result of the training, you will have a greater insight into the ‘humps and bumps’ in our landscape and that you will be inspired to stay in touch with us/join our group of community heritage volunteers – and feedback any observations that you make that relate to our heritage when visiting our Abbey and the granges that it owned. It is our intention to collate these new findings and host discussions on-line, through our website and Zoom discussions, so that we can all learn more about the fascinating history of our countryside.
Attendees will receive an information pack prior to the event. As one of the techniques is highly sensitive to metal objects there will be constraints on clothing that includes metal, such as buttons and buckles. Please note that young people (under-18s) and vulnerable adults will need to be accompanied.

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

Investigating our Landscape with hands-on geophysical surveying

More events from Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust

Discover more events from Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust, from Community to other experiences you might love.

Investigating our Landscape with hands-on geophysical surveying

More events from Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust

Discover more events from Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust, from Community to other experiences you might love.

You might also like...

Browse more events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.