SDO15570 - Report on a Geophysical Survey at the Five Marys, Chaldon Herring, Dorset, in March-May 2012

‘The aim of this survey was to evaluate the utility of electrical resistance topography (ERT) and ground penetrating radar (GPR) in investigating the internal structure of Bronze Age round barrows. Both techniques, and also resistivity survey, were used to investigate one of the Five Marys linear barrow group in Chaldon Herring, Dorset. Both techniques produced clear patterns of findings in three dimensions, some of which appeared to be correlated, and which were also consistent with what has been found in excavations of similar barrows. Interpretation was hindered by difficulty in assessing the depth of GPR responses. Suggestions for improving the use of the technique were made. Resistivity surveys were also carried out on an area adjacent to the main barrow studied where a pond barrow had been observed in the past, and on another barrow. No traces of the pond barrow were detected.’