EDO6662 - Cranborne Chase; geophysical survey 2003

Geophysical survey undertaken to inform selection of areas for excavation by Time Team. Five areas (Areas 1 to 5) 3.5ha in total, were investigated using magnetometry, and earth resistance survey was also tried in Area 5. Data from Areas 1 and 3 showed a linear boundary ditch also visible on aerial photographs, and both areas showed anomalies interpreted as pits and short ditch lengths, possibly associated with the longer ditch. Area 2 was in a field previously surveyed by Bournemouth University and positioned to pinpoint a ring ditch seen in that earlier survey and other features of interest, before excavation by Time Team. Area 4 produced only a few anomalies of potential archaeological interest. Area 5 was on the site of a known Roman building. Earth resistance survey produced large areas of high resistance, and magnetometer survey produced similar results. Details of the building layout could not be discerned.