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Archaeological Reconnaissance

Archaeological Reconnaissance

Geometrics offers a number of different solutions to the archaeology reconnaissance industry. Here's information about our Cesium Magnetometer and OhmMapper followed by numerous case studies.

The superior tool for non-invasive high-speed, high sensitivity archaeological reconnaissance: the Geometrics Cesium Magnetometer system.

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Instrument: G858 transverse array approx 0.3m off ground, target depth approx 0.6m
Location: UK
Plot range: -10nT black +10nT white
Plot size: Approx 800m top to bottom

Targets: Extensive Iron Age (so approx. 2500 yr old) settlement overlaid with Roman-era structures and possibly incorporating remains from a 4000 yr old settlement. All the round structures are huts and hut enclosures and the curved stripes are the ancient magnetic signatures resulting from medieval cultivation.

Courtesy of

Martin Roseveare
MSc BSc(Hons)
MEAGE FGS Senior Geophysicist
ArchaeoPhysica Ltd.

With a high-speed sampling rate, vast areas can be rapidly surveyed to locate areas of interest. Hearths, habitation sites, graves, privies, foundation walls, burned structural poles and rocks used for construction are just a few of the archaeological targets detectable at significant depth with the Geometrics Cesium Magnetometer.

A bronze-age burial feature (barrow) in Ireland; positive (white) anomalies around the perimeter are additional graves, and anomalies within the circle are evidence of modern excavations. Data courtesy: Archaeophysica

Superior Mapping Technology / Fast Resistivity Measurements Without Probes

Another valuable tool for archaeological exploration is the Geometrics OhmMapper, a capacitively-coupled resistivity meter that measures electrical properties of soil. Near surface conductivity changes due to habitation or construction disturbances can quickly and easily be acquired over large areas for economical reconnaissance surveys.

This image was taken over a suspected Roman Amphitheater in England. The survey used multiple parallel lines with a single Tx/Rx separation to perform fast reconnaissance of the area. The circular feature shown indicates the presence of amphitheater walls.

Archaeological Reconnaissance

Archaeological Information & Case Studies