SDO10231 - Report on the Geophysical Survey at Abbotsbury, Dorset

GSB Prospection conducted a geophysical survey as part of an archaeological evaluation of land at the eastern side of the Abbey precinct at Abbotsbury during 1990. Both resistivity and magnetometry were employed. The magnetic survey identified the trenches of modern poly-tunnels or greenhouses, but also identified anomalies that may be associated with the medieval abbey. These included the demolished south wing of The Old Malthouse, anomalies associated with the eastern precinct wall, a possible structure or feature in the SW corner of the field, and a further large anomaly in the centre of the field. A number of small anomalies are consistent with pits. The resistance survey was hampered by extremely dry ground conditions at the north end of the site and a slope down to a stream at the south end of the site. High resistance readings came from the area of the south wing of The Old Malthouse but individual walls could not be identified due to the large amount of building debris. Evidence for a small paved area or structure was revealed in the SW corner of the site, where the stream cuts through the wall. The central area of the site produced readings suggestive of wall lines. Areas 6 and 7, close to the eastern precinct wall, provided the clearest evidence for buildings; a series of interlinked linear anomalies. However, these could also be interpreted as garden paths or drains