Radiating Encouragement
Further Investigation Into the Application of Gamma Ray Spectroscopy for Archaeological Prospection at the Roman Town of Silchester
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12430123 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Victoria Robinson (0000-0002-7610-9884, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science University of Reading Reading UK, corresponding author), Stuart Black (0000-0003-1396-4821, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science University of Reading Reading UK), Robert Fry (0000-0002-9711-1131, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science University of Reading Reading UK), Helen M Beddow (0000-0001-5228-3725, Nuvia (United Kingdom)), Helen Beddow (Nuvia Limited Warrington UK), Robert Clark (0000-0002-5197-8370, Nuvia Limited Warrington UK), Mike Fulford (School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science University of Reading Reading UK) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 249-266 |
| Publication date | 2024-07-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Archaeological Prospection (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1075-2196 • E-ISSN: 1099-0763 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1002/arp.1950 |
| OpenAlex | W4401467028 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 10 |
This study builds on a preliminary investigation into the efficacy of gamma radiation surveying as a complementary tool for archaeological prospection. Improved surveying and data processing methods were implemented, including the use of a vehicle‐mounted Groundhog surveying system, use of alternative software tools and examination of the impacts of individual radionuclides. The study focuses on a range of targets within Insulae VII, XXXV and XXXIII in Silchester Roman town, Hampshire. Targets of interest included a polygonal temple, a house, ditches (including an Iron Age defensive ditch) and several Roman roads. While the survey revealed no measurable differences in the gamma radionuclide content of less substantial structures (such as the temple and house) and the surrounding soil, it successfully delineated major structures. The Roman roads, Iron Age defensive ditch and potentially an indication of a historic field boundary not present in modern records were clearly visible in the generated visualisations. The roads and field boundary appear as distinct linear features of depleted radioactivity. The location of the Iron Age ditch correlates with an area of elevated radioactivity. Notably, the technique not only successfully identified archaeological features but was also able to indicate differences in the properties of similar targets such as variations in road thickness. Further, the gamma radiation data indicates variations in the local geology attributable to historic changes in land use and geochemical composition. This latest study corroborates the findings of the preliminary investigation, demonstrating replicability, scalability and ability to enhance output data quality. Further research, including sampling and non‐destructive analysis of materials from the site, is needed to better explain observed results
Archaeology · Colluvium · Ditch · Excavation · Geography · Prospection · Sampling (signal processing · Computer Science · Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping · Geophysical Methods and Applications · Radioactivity and Radon Measurements · Geology · Paleontology
How effective is geophysical survey? A regional review
Geophysical prospection and archaeological excavation of ancient iron smelting sites in the Barun‐Khal valley on the western shore of Lake Baikal (Olkhon region, Siberia)
Portable gamma ray spectrometry for archaeological prospection
Soil geochemical methods in archaeo‐geophysics
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |