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Courses / Modules / ARCH3014 Seeing beneath the soil: geophysical survey for archaeology

Seeing beneath the soil: geophysical survey for archaeology

When you'll study it
Semester 2
CATS points
15
ECTS points
7.5
Level
Level 6
Module lead
Kristian Strutt
Academic year
2025-26

Module overview

The development of geophysical survey methods has provided archaeologists with a wholly new approach to buried archaeological remains allowing - in some circumstances - plans of entire archaeological sites to be obtained prior to any excavation. The use of geophysical instruments for survey, and the interpretation of results that are obtained both require a detailed knowledge of how these instruments work and the scientific principles that they rely on. This module teaches the theory and method behind archaeological geophysical prospection, and also develops practical skills in the use of magnetometry, resistivity, ground penetrating radar and magnetic susceptibiity surveying for archaeological applications. The module includes a compulsory one-week field school, held during the Easter vacation.