EDO6533 - Hardown Hill, Whitchurch Canonicorum; geophysical survey 2017 and 2018

A geophysical survey was carried out by the National Trust following clearance of gorse and heather in the area of four barrows and 5 unusual earthworks. Anglo-Saxon iron objects including spear heads had been found in 1916 and a subsequent excavation carried out but poorly recorded. The conditions for the survey were difficult as the ground was waterlogged in several places including the earthwork. The site was divided into 20m grids aligned north-south and east-west and the survey carried out by Bartington twin array fluxgate gradiometer with readings taken at 0.25m intervals in 1m traverses. Due to the terrain the barrows were not completely surveyed. A Geoscan RM16 earth resistance meter was also used however this was hampered by the terrain and few grids were surveyed. No conclusive evidence was found to help date or identify the earthworks and no iron objects were found on or near the barrows other then a modern fence post.