Archaeological Geophysics (Archeology)

TerraDat’s archaeological geophysics team is uniquely placed to draw on decades of experience in applied geophysics and archaeological surveying. TerraDat’s approach uses our fully-trained geophysicists to deal with the geophysics while our archaeologists provide detailed interpretations of any identified features.

Survey productivity is maximised by using the latest Sensys magnetometers, particularly the Magneto MX magnetic gradiometry system. This system utilises eight Sensys gradiometer probes mounted on a bespoke carriage system. An RTK GPS provides real-time, sub-centimetre-accurate positioning. The system is towed across the survey area behind a 4×4 vehicle or ATV, acquiring swaths of data up to 3.5m wide. The probes are spaced at 0.5m intervals, giving twice the resolution of a conventional gradiometry survey.

In optimum field conditions, the Sensys system allows acquisition rates of up to 20 hectares a day, significantly reducing survey costs and time over a conventional walked survey. It is ideal for scanning large sites for housing or solar energy or infrastructure projects such as roads/rail, cable routes, and pipelines.

As one of the UK’s leading geophysical contractors, TerraDat’s enhanced processing and interpretation capabilities allow the results to be interrogated to provide additional information on a variety of site hazards such as shallow UXO, mine workings and buried structures and services.

Other survey techniques that can be applied to archaeology include GPR, resistivity mapping, microgravity surveying and electromagnetic ground conductivity. TerraDat are uniquely equipped to help assist the investigation of archaeological sites by using our industry-leading, integrated approach to geophysics.

Key Benefits

Up to 20 hectares a day
Detailed reporting
Complete geophysical and archaeological interpretation

Twice the resolution of a conventional gradiometry survey
Survey results provided in CAD/GIS formats
Geological interpretation where appropriate
UXO interpretation on request

Related Services and Applications

Shallow Geophysics for Transmission Cable Route Characterisation

Shallow geophysics plays a crucial role in characterizing the subsurface for transmission cable routes, offering significant advantages to transmission teams working on energy infrastructure projects. By employing non-invasive geophysical techniques, energy providers can optimize cable route planning, reduce environmental impact, … Read More

How can geophysical techniques be used to investigate and monitor leaking dams?

Dams are vital structures that contribute to vital infrastructure including drinking water, crop irrigation, and hydroelectric power. These structures, often over a century old are also put under huge stress by the large quantities of water they retain as well … Read More

River Crossings: Profiling Geology using Geophysics

Many of our clients constructing roads, laying pipelines or investigating historic bridges find profiling the geology beneath rivers tricky using conventional ground investigation methods. Since the path rivers take is often dictated by changes in geology, the problem can be … Read More

Archaeological Geophysics (Archeology)

CHECK OUT OUR NEW DEDICATED ARCHAEOLOGICAL GEOPHYSICS WEBSITE TerraDat’s archaeological geophysics team is uniquely placed to draw on decades of experience in applied geophysics and archaeological surveying. TerraDat’s approach uses our fully-trained geophysicists to deal with the geophysics while our … Read More

Ground Conductivity (EM)

A ground conductivity or electromagnetic (EM) survey involves the generation of an EM field at the surface and subsequent measuring of the response as it propagates through the subsurface. The main components of the instrument are a transmitter coil (to … Read More

Magnetics

The magnetic survey technique is based on mapping localised variations in the Earth’s magnetic field caused by sub-surface magnetic materials, which range from naturally occurring magnetic minerals to man-made ferrous objects. This leads to a wide range of applications, from … Read More

Characterisation of Landfill Sites using Geophysics

Addressing the growing challenge of environmentally compliant landfill management, TerraDat provides expert geophysical survey services for both active and closed landfill sites. Our advanced, non-invasive techniques deliver high-resolution insights into landfill composition and boundaries, surpassing traditional methods in efficiency and … Read More

Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT)

The Resistivity technique is useful for characterising the sub-surface materials in terms of their electrical properties. Variations in electrical resistivity (or conductivity) typically correlate with variations in lithology, water saturation, fluid conductivity, porosity and permeability, which may be used to … Read More

Brownfield Site Investigation using Geophysics

Most former industrial sites have a legacy of buried structural hazards and contamination. Geophysical surveys can detect buried targets without the need to excavate. Many industrial contaminants, such as salinisation by acids and hydrocarbon plumes, can leave a significant geophysical … Read More

Mapping Shallow Abandoned Mineworkings using Geophysics

The problem of mapping shallow abandoned mine workings is significant in the re-development of brownfield sites or land reclamation in former mining areas. A TerraDat Geophysics survey can mitigate the risks of mapping mine workings using conventional ground investigation methods. … Read More

GeoVoyager: A Collaboration with the Royal Society and Cowbridge School

We’re pleased to announce a partnership with Cowbridge School for an innovative educational project called GeoVoyager. The collaboration is made possible thanks to a STEM Partnership Grant from The Royal Society, the oldest scientific institution in continuous existence since 1660. … Read More

Specialist Seismic Refraction Survey Company

TerraDat is a specialist Seismic refraction survey company with many years of experience applying and researching its use in shallow engineering and geotechnical work. Seismic survey methods provide a useful tool for investigating geological structure and rock properties. The technique … Read More

Seismic Reflection

TerraDat has specialist experience in designing and implementing high-resolution seismic reflection surveys for onshore and shallow marine environments. The company routinely carries out seismic survey work for geotechnical and environmental applications as well as larger-scale work for oil/mineral exploration. … Read More

Geophysics for Mapping Geology along Pipeline Routes

Pipelines and cable routes present a set of unique developmental and geotechnical challenges. TerraDat has designed an integrated survey approach, providing data useful to all stages of the project design. Archaeological assessments and UXO detection: Due to the large distances … Read More

Slope Stability: Understanding Slope Stability using Geophysics

TerraDat has developed a strategy for investigating slope stability that provides key engineering properties for managing and monitoring existing and potential landslides. While each site is considered unique with respect to the survey design, the methods that most often prove … Read More

Karst Geology: Void detection & Karst Mapping using Geophysics

TerraDat is regularly contacted by ground engineers asking about our void detection surveys using geophysics. The benefits of our geophysical surveys in terms of maximum area coverage and minimal ground disturbance provide an ideal solution. The best geophysical methods for … Read More

Peat Mapping using Geophysics (Peat Surveys)

Mapping peat is a common requirement for proposed developments such as wind farms and pipeline routes where they cross remote and/or sensitive areas. There are several geophysical methods that can provide plan and cross-sectional information to map the distribution of … Read More

MASW (Surface Wave Surveys)

Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) is a very useful method for investigating shallow geological structure and, in particular, the relative shear strength of subsurface materials. By incorporating density values for the local bedrock and overburden sediments it is possible … Read More

Experts in Microgravity Surveys

A TerraDat microgravity survey is based on measuring localised variations in the Earth’s gravitational field using an extremely sensitive gravity meter. We own and operate the latest Scintrex gravimeters. A microgravity survey targets physical contrasts between materials of contrasting density. … Read More

Experienced Ground Radar (GPR) Company

TerraDat has been a GPR survey company since the technique evolved to a level where it could be applied to a wide range of applications over 20 years ago. Because the GPR method involves analysis of wave-form data, our experience … Read More

Page categories:

Applications, Construction & Geotechnical, Energy & Natural Resources

TerraDat uses state-of-the-art geophysical mapping techniques to map the subsurface. The benefit of geophysics is that it is non-invasive and can rapidly map large areas and reduce the chance of missing buried targets. We’ve been offering our services for over 25 years to clients from the engineering, environmental, energy and construction markets. Here are four case study booklets showing how geophysics can be applied to your ground investigations.

Call Us Today: +44 (0)2920 700127 | web@terradat.co.uk

Archaeological Geophysics (Archeology)

Key Benefits