Current and Recent Research Projects

In the last few months we have been busy working on research projects which included surveying four different sites in County Donegal and one site each in Fermanagh, Derry and Tipperary.

Surveys in South Donegal

Three sites have been investigated as part of ongoing research by the Drumhome Heritage Society and funded by the Donegal Local Development Company. The sites include Drumhome ecclesiastical site, McGonigle’s Fort and Ballymagroarty Irish Castle. They are located a short distance south of Donegal town and north of Ballyshannon.

Satelite image of the sites in south Donegal (Historic Environment Viewer)

Drumhome

Of all the sites Drumhome has undergone the most extensive geophysical surveys. The site comprises a number of pasture fields surrounding Drumhome Old Church and graveyard. A previous Earth Resistance survey in 2013 has identified an oval enclosure extending from the upstanding cemetery wall into the field to the south. The enclosure and a number of internal and external structures were thought to be relating to the ecclesiastical settlement at Drumhome. Subsequent archaeological testing was undertaken by archaeologist Mick Drumm of Wolfhound Archaeology. While this was not a full excavation, numerous significant archaeological features were identified including ditches, pits, stone structures and a number of possible toghers. These features were found outside of the enclosure identified in the geophysical data and the possible toghers were found in the boggy southern half of the field.

The site was investigated using a range of geophysical equipment to gain further insight into the extent of the archaeology associated with the ecclesiastical settlement.

Thanks to the local landowners the fields to the south of the graveyard were cleared of vegetation and we were able to carry out high resolution earth resistance and ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys. The results show the presence of a palimpsest of archaeolgical features.

Due to the presence of togher material in the 2013 test excavation we carried out a number of induced polarisation (IP) surveys across the boggy southern portion of the field and into the field to the west.

McGonigle’s Fort

This site was also investigated for Drumhome Heritage Society An extensive archaeological landscape was revealed through the use of multiple high resolution geophysical techniques both within the fort and on the landscape surrounding the monument. The work undertaken for this project has added to our knowledge of the composition and makeup of the site and how McGonigle’s Fort represents an extensive monument which is still present in our landscape today.

Ballymagroarty Irish Castle

The site of Ballymagroarty Irish Castle was the last of our projects for the Drumhome Heritage Society, completed this January. Very little was known about this site as no visible traces are left above ground. Allthough the site is listed as a castle in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP), documentary sources suggest that an ecclesiastical settlement once existed within the townland of Ballymagroarty. A historical account (from Dr. Maguire’s “History of the Diocese of Raphoe” Appendix F. Vol. II. pp. 349-350) describes how a secret entrance to a crypt in which the Cathach of St. Columba was kept was discovered by a man ploughing the field. He discovered a winding staircase leading down but due to superstition did not descend into the crypt.

While we did not find evidence of a crypt, our initial magnetometer surveys have identified the possible location of a building which may be related to the castle. We are hoping to return to the site at a future date to carry out more detailed surveys and also explore the surrounding fields where some possible features can be seen in satellite images.

Kilbarron Castle

Kilbarron Castle sits on a promontory extending off the south Donegal coast into the Atlantic. The Kilbarron Castle Conservation Group has asked us to carry out a number of surveys on the promontory and the surrounding area as well as a photogrammetry survey of the upstanding wall remains.

We carried out earth resistance and electromagnetic surveys over as much of the promontory as was physically possible. About one hectare of the surrounding mainland was surveyed using cart based electromagnetic surveys. In addition we ran two electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) lines across the fosse which separates the promontory from the mainland

Potential archaeological remains have been identified throughout the survey area indicating extensive habitation activity potentially over multiple phases of occuppation. A large number of stone features as well as ditches were detected on the promontory itself. Some of these are associated with collapsed walls creating a confusing picture of the underlying archaeology. Different alignment of structures can be identified which suggest overlapping features which predate the upstanding remains.

As you can see in the photos, some of the upstanding masonry remains are in very poor condition and is prone to further collapse and damage during storms. The 3D photogrammetry model of the remaining walls is a valuable record of the monument at this point in time.

Arney Fort

We have been invited by Cuilcagh to Cleenish: a great Place to take part in their community research project at Arney Fort in County Fermanagh. The project was funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund and Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and involved Arney Fort and an adjacent drumlin which is linked to the Battle of the Ford of the Biscuits that took place in the area on 7th August 1594.

Part of the project was a community excavation involving local volunteers led by a team of archaeologists of Northern Archaeological Consultancy. The excavation took place right after completion of the geophysical surveys and we were able to visit the dig and give a demonstration of the survey instruments to the volunteers at the dig. Local archaeologist Robert Henshall has kindly assisted our team with all of the geophysical surveys at the site.

First we carried out a magnetometer survey over a portion of the drumlin which identified multiple isolated ferrous responses, several areas of highly magnetic remains, a number of ditches or cut features and possible pits. The ferrous responses may be related to the battlefield, but need to be further investigated to rule out modern debris relating to farming activities. One sub-rectangular enclosure and central arcing feature may be archaeological in origin.

The fort itself was investigated using earth resistance and handheld electromagnetic surveys. They revealed a number of internal features which may be related to habitation and industrial activities. There are several possible structural remains and pits. Five large low susceptibility anomalies were detected running through the centre of the fort. One of these was later excavated at the community dig run by Northern Archaeological Consultancy and was identified as containing two bowl furnaces.

Besides evidence for iron working and glass production, the archaeologists found a number of interesting artefacts. For more detailed information about the findings have a look at the excavation and geophysical report which can be found on the Cuilcagh to Cleenish: a great Place website.

Ballyeglish Cemetery

This small disused graveyard is located in the middle of an undulating pasture landscape in Ballyeglish townland, County Derry. While there is no above ground evidence of a church, a dried up holywell – St. Brigid’s Well is located in the NE corner. Most of the headstones are on top of a raised platform dating to the 18th & 19th centuries.

The Loup & District Historical Society has asked us to carry out a small survey to detect potential remains of a church, as the name ‘Ballyeglish’ would strongly hint at the presence of one. There was also the hope of finding the lost burial place of a local saint Trea who may have been buried in this church. A second target for the survey was a narrow channel where there were suggestions it may have been a pre-Christian within the graveyard.

Possible structural evidence was detected in the cemetery. There appears to be an area of intense archaeological activity surrounded by an arcing boundary ditch. A number of stone features are likely to represent structural remains interspersed with some areas of disturbed ground and linear ditches.

Graves of the Leinstermen

The site known as the ‘Graves of the Leinstermen‘ is a recorded monument listed as an anomalous stone group, located in the Arra Mountains in County Tipperary overlooking Lough Derg. According to legend, the stones are associated with the battle between Brian Boru and Sitric Silkenbeard. The landscape is covered in gorse, ferns and heather largely burying the stones.

Last year, the Arra Historical & Archaeological Society has asked us to carry out a topographical and photogrammetry survey of the landscape containing stones. They have kindly cleared some of the vegetation around the stones to facilitate this survey.

The resulting topographical map and 3D models of the stone group may help in further interpreting the potential archaeological significance of the site. We have identified a total of 46 stones, the majority of which appear to be earthfast boulders barely protruding from the ground surface. Through the accurate mapping of all the stones, a possible oval pattern is visible to the site. There is a small possible passageway incorporating a number of orthostats and prone stones. An arcing pattern of stones and a topographical expression hint at a possible structural element to the site.

To further investigate the nature of the site and identify the presence of any potential sub-surface archaeological remains we will return to the site in the next few months to carry out a number of geophysical surveys. We hope to shed more light on the legends associated with this monument in 2020!

Brownshill Dolmen and the Beast from the East!

Project: Brownshill Portal Tomb

Location: Carlow

Year: 2018

So this is our first post of 2018! We’ve had a grand start to this year. Surveyors headed up north for a couple of weeks to undertake two separate surveys around two churches for research projects, and also paid a brief visit back to Meath. On top of these, some research projects from last year were wrapped up.

Panorama of Brownshill dolmen and earth resistance survey (Photo: C. Hogan)

This week Cian and Ciarán headed down to County Carlow to carry out a survey on the land surrounding the impressive and imposing portal tomb at Brownshill. The Neolithic monument is situated in rolling lowlands and positioned on the northeastern side of a small hillock. The capstone is reputed to weigh up to 150 tons and is thought to be one of the largest erected in Europe.

Brownshill dolmen banked in snow (Photo: C. Davis)

Earthsound were commissioned to investigate the area around the monument using an earth resistance meter. We started work on Monday afternoon, and on Tuesday morning members of Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society visited while work was ongoing. A small group were given a presentation on geophysical surveys, and following this assisted in collecting a portion of the resistance data in front of the dolmen.

Work had to be cut short due to the arrival of the ‘Beast from the East’! While the sun was shining during the Society’s visit, when they left so did the good weather. Snow started falling soon after, and coming up to the final grid of the day, a blizzard set in. Quite an experience doing a resistance survey in those conditions! On Wednesday morning, several grids of data were taken in a winter wonderland, with snow coating the ground and the dolmen, and the sun shining brightly. With icicles hanging from the van, the surveyors headed back West ahead of predicted worsening weather.

 

Cian talking with members of Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society (Photo: C. Davis)

 

Earth resistance meter and dolmen (Photo: C. Hogan)

 

Members of Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society collecting earth resistance data (Photo: C. Davis)

Almost at the end of the grid!! Ciaran surveying during a blizzard (Photo: C. Hogan)

Cian surveying before the arrival of the ‘Beast from the East’ (Photo: C. Davis)

And after – Cian in the snow with earth resistance meter (Photo: C. Davis)

Another year comes to an end!

Seasons greetings to all!

It’s come to that time of year again when the work is getting quiet and everyone is preparing for a new year. This year has been full of change and excitement for those of us at Earthsound – people coming and going; impressive sites visited; and wonderful data collected.

The year kicked off with a two-month stint down in the county of Cork. Taking up residence in Ballyvourney (and all the while enjoying the fantastic local brews offered by Nine White Deer brewery), Earthsound surveyed the lion’s share of the long-awaited N22 route upgrade. Cork was a popular destination this year, with various members of Earthsound heading down for shorter projects throughout the rest of the year – back to Ballyvourney, Castlemartyr, Carrigaline, Blarney, Clonakilty, Ballincollig, Kinsale, Ballincollig again, Kinsale again (I think that’s everywhere!).

Ciarán and Cian metal detecting at Kinsale (Photo – U. Garner)

Foerster cart at Ballincollig (Photo – C. Hogan)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every so often a change of scenery was in mind and we headed somewhere other than Cork for fieldwork. Following on from the stretch in Cork, a couple more surveys for the TII popped up during the year, though they were much smaller in size. A couple of days in Westmeath and a week in Laois to undertake preliminary work for road-straightening jobs to come. Some private developments took us to Meath, Laois and Dublin.

Ciarán with Foerster cart at Castle Ward, Co. Antrim (Photo – C. Hogan)

The month of May was more or less spent north of the border. Two of the surveys were for solar farm developments. At the start of the month we were north of Belfast for a job of 15 Ha. At the end of the month we were south of Belfast, undertaking one of the largest private developments we’ve worked on – 26 Ha of geophysical survey. Between these two jobs, we spent a couple of days at the wonderful Castle Ward, Co. Down – the setting for Winterfell Castle from Game of Thrones. We were investigating the landscaped gardens in order to locate Queen Anne’s house and other garden features.

Darren instructing Ursula and Ciarán on the MSP40 (Photo – C. Hogan)

2017 saw quite a shift in terms of staff at the company. Hannah Brown (now Dr. – congratulations!) temporarily joined the survey team. In April, Ursula Garner and Ciarán Davis, recent graduates of IT Sligo, joined the company – bringing it up to largest it had ever been, at six employees. During the first couple of months we had some great training days in local fields and the green at Castlebar barracks. And after seven years of surveys, Darren Regan decided it was time for a change and headed off for sunnier climes in October.

 

Panorama of entrance to Doon Fort (Photo – C. Davis)

Research projects were the name of the game for this year. We were back for a second round at Knocknashee Hillfort with Queen’s University. Following last year’s MS survey of the entire hilltop, this time half of the summit plateau was surveyed using Earthsound’s first in-house frame – the Earthwalker. Vinegar Hill was in our sights twice in 2017. An ERT survey was carried out early on in the year, which was was followed up a few months later by involvement in a metal detection survey. We were working closely with the National 1798 Rebellion Centre and Rubicon Heritage on this very interesting project. This year also saw the first surveys for the Heritage Council’s ‘Adopt a Monument’ Scheme (run in association with Abarta Heritage) take place. Earthsound had the delight to undertake a detailed survey of the interior of Doon Fort – probably the best survey spot in the world! We spent a week in the westlands of Donegal, paddling in and out with equipment to carry out the survey. Following this, we headed in the opposite direction to Kilfinnane, Co. Limerick. Here, we carried out the first surveys investigating the lands surrounding one of Ireland’s most impressive mottes. After several years of looking for walls in Athy, we had the opportunity to put the experience gained there to practice in Castledermot and Kilkenny. The surveys at both locations proved fruitful, with walls and ditches being identified.

Panorama of interior of Doon Fort (Photo – C. Davis)

ERT survey at Vinegar Hill (Photo – J. Bonsall)

Ursula with the EM cart in front of Kilfinane Motte (Photo – C. Hogan)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foerster cart with Newgrange and Dowth passage tombs somewhere in the background (Photo – C. Hogan)

The year wound down with a number of short surveys here and there: a quick jaunt down to Claregalway one morning to do some work ahead of a graveyard extension; a Saturday afternoon in Dublin city centre to carry out a radar survey; and a trip to Meath in order to check out a pipeline corridor.

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas! And all the best for the New Year!

Doon Fort – Adopt A Monument

Project: Doon Fort – Adopt A Monument

Location: Donegal

Year: 2017

Client: Ardara GAP Heritage and History Group

Funding: The Heritage Council – Adopt A Monument Scheme

In October of this year, Earthsound had the chance to carry out one of the most spectacular surveys the company had ever tendered for! From the 2nd to the 6th, our full complement of field crew (Heather, Cian, Ursula and Ciarán) were out in the wilds of southwest Donegal. The subject of the survey was a cashel, on an island, in a lake!

Doon Fort is a stunning stone stronghold, covering most of a small island found in Doon Lough. The massive dry-stone fortifications rise to a maximum height of c. 5m at the entrance and range in thickness from 3m to 4m. The cashel contains not only a crawl space, but also a passageway with stairs within the wall itself, which lead up to the wall walk.

Approached from the east, launching from the lakeshore slipway, the fort makes an impressive appearance as you row up the lake and round a headland. Loading up a small row boat and a canoe, the Earthsound crew made the journey up and down the lake with all the equipment needed to carry out the survey each day.

A comprehensive survey was undertaken of the cashel. The interior was investigated with high resolution surveys using a single gradiometer, a hand-held electromagnetic instrument and a twin-probe earth resistance meter. In addition to these, a topographic survey was also conducted. An additional aim of the survey was to produce a 3-D model of the monument. Photographs documenting the structure were taken from all positions: inside the fort, on top of the wall and outside the fort from a canoe and adjacent islands.

Despite the small scale of the survey, a week was set aside to complete it. This was due to the changeable and harsh weather conditions sometimes encountered in this part of the country. As it happened, both the Monday afternoon and all of Wednesday were written off due to high winds and stormy conditions. On the other hand, the Tuesday, Thursday and Friday were very successful days, with all work being carried out in good conditions and an amazing setting!

Doon Fort is looked after by the Ardara GAP Heritage & History Group who are working very closely with the landowners, the McHugh family, and, in the weeks leading up to the survey, their members and many local volunteers worked to clear the interior of heavy vegetation and the dense ivy from the walls. Without their hard work and dedication, the survey would not have been possible. The survey was commissioned by the heritage group as part of the ‘Adopt a Monument’ Scheme being administered by the Heritage Council (https://www.facebook.com/AdoptaMonumentIreland/) and Abarta Heritage (https://www.facebook.com/AbartaHeritage/).

The canoe was loaned by Grainne Breslin and Owen McAuley, while the canoe equipment was on loan by Jarlath McHale, of Mayo Adventure Experience (https://www.facebook.com/mayoadventureexperience/).

Unfortunately, there is restricted access to the monument. It is vital that anyone trying to visit the site, that they contact the landowner prior to any visit. Please see Ardara GAP Heritage and History Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ardaraheritage/) for more info.

Kilfinnane Motte – Adopt A Monument

Project: Kilfinnane Motte – Adopt A Monument

Location: Kilfinnane, Co. Limerick

Year: 2017

Client: Kilfinnane Community Council

Funding: The Heritage Council – Adopt A Monument

At the start of November Earthsound headed down to the village of Kilfinnane in Limerick. This quiet village hosts one of the most impressive monuments to be seen in the Irish landscape – a lofty motte, rising to 12m in height, surrounded by a series of imposing banks and ditches.

Standing atop the motte, sweeping views are given of the surrounding landscape – taking in Keale Mountain to the south, the Ballyhoura Hills to the southwest, the Galtee Mountains to the east, and a rolling countryside to the north.

View looking south from on top of the monument – Galtee Mountains on the left, Keale Mountain on the right and Ursula with the EM cart (Photo: C. Hogan)

This monument has been adopted by a community council and Tommy O’Sullivan acted as liaison for us. He, along with other enthusiastic locals, were able to fill us in with a great amount of detail of ‘The Moats’ recent background and older history.

Little is known about the history of the monument and there are very few other monuments recorded in its immediate vicinity. A standing stone is located in an adjacent field. The Kilfinnane Community Council has made great efforts to assemble of huge range of historical documents, local knowledge and folklore to create a greater understanding of the landscape – and the geophysical survey is another step towards this.

A broad survey was undertaken of the lands surrounding the motte. The site was investigated using an eight-probe magnetometry system and an electromagnetic instrument. The aim of the survey was to identify any associated anomalies, perhaps a bailey, or other unknown anomalies. The magnetometry covered the entirety of the survey area, whereas the EM was used to target the area adjacent to the banks and topographic features elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ursula surveying with the EM cart in front of the motte (Photo: C. Hogan)

Acknowledgements to the landowner Tom for allowing us access to his lands for the survey.

The survey was commissioned by Abarta Heritage, on behalf of the Kilfinnane Community Council, as part of the ‘Adopt A Monument’ Scheme being administered by the Heritage Council and Abarta Heritage.

Commissioning an Archaeological Geophysical Survey: what we need to know and what you need to know

Be it through Channel 4’s Time Team or through homegrown heritage documentaries, people’s exposure to, and understanding of what geophysical techniques can locate has greatly improved over the past few years. Many members of the general public will have an awareness of techniques such as Magnetometry and Ground Penetrating Radar and will have at least a cursory understanding of what they are and what they’re used for. We have become used to hearing about the wonderful knowledge that the ever-developing technology employed by geophysicists can offer us about our past and this can be of enormous benefit in terms of informing people outside of the field of geophysics. However, this can sometimes lead to a somewhat distorted understanding of the constraints and limitations associated with our techniques as well as the full extent of the information which we can realistically provide about a given site.

 

Our Geophysical Techniques cover a wide variety of technologies from the most commonly requested and well-known methods such as Magnetometry and Earth Resistance to methods which may be used more infrequently and for very specific site types of archaeology, such as Induced Polarisation for the location of wooden trackways within peatlands. Earthsound have the capacity to avail of a number of varied techniques and, when possible, can deploy more than one technique over a given site enabling us to yield the maximum amount of information available about the archaeology which lies beneath our feet. However….

Where are you looking?

The first thing we as geophysicists need to know before we can discuss what approach or methodology to undertake on your site is its exact size and location. This is important for a number of reasons. Firstly it allows us to provide you with the most appropriate technique to find what you’re looking for. The geological composition of the bedrock of the site can heavily influence the choice of technique. Although the geological make-up of the island of Ireland is fairly homogeneous, comprising mainly of carboniferous limestone, there are many regions where the geology may have an adverse impact on a technique that the client might request. A good example is the use of Magnetometry in the northern part of the island, where a large amount of volcanic and basalt geology can severely impede the ability of Magnetometry to locate the more subtle magnetic signatures emitted by archaeological remains.

Geological dyke found in magnetometry

The above image shows a Magnetometer survey containing a strongly magnetic geological dyke located throughout the middle of the survey area (the long arcing black-and-white line running top-left to bottom-right). As you can see, the strong signature given off by the geological feature obscures all of the other ambient magnetism as well as any anomalies of potential archaeological significance.

Another reason for needing to know the location of the proposed survey area(s) is for sheer practicality. Our Magnetometer array, for example, has a span of about 4m x 3m and has a large turning circle. This, added to the fact that it can be quite heavy, can mean that a promontory fort located on a sheer slope on the edge of a cliff may be a little bit beyond our capabilities!

As with everything, we are always eager to accommodate our clients and if we feel that one technique might not be amenable to the requirements of the site, we will suggest another, more appropriate one.

What is the land used for?

Another related question is the current and past land usage of the site. One of the main things we need to know prior to survey is whether or not it is possible to move our instruments unimpeded and ensure the collection of the best quality of data possible. For example, if the land is being used for tillage or silage, we would only be able to carry out our survey once the crop has been harvested or if it is in the very early stages of growth. In addition to this, land which is boggy or poached will present difficulties for our surveying equipment, alternative methodologies may be deployed in some instances. Similar issues apply to livestock so we would request that any areas which are to be surveyed be emptied of cattle and horses in particular.

Example of unsurveyable terrain

It is also especially important to know whether or not there has been a history of dumping or burning at a site. If a given area has historically been used to dispose of waste (such as cars) or has been used as a location for bonfires for example, this will have an extremely large impact on the efficacy of Magnetometry in that area and will mask any archaeological anomalies. In that instance, it may be that another technique could be employed. However, this of course depends on the site in question and we are always happy to discuss the possibilities.

What are you trying to find?

Last, but certainly not least, it is always useful to know what, if any, archaeological remains are expected. The size and type of archaeological remains being prospected for, especially for research, will influence the  instrumentation and sample intervals deployed. This is not only time-effective but cost-effective as it means the survey will detect the items of interest.

Having a full suite of geophysical techniques means that we can find most types of archaeology, however, some techniques will fair better at finding certain types of material whereas others will be inapplicable. In the case of stone and masonry remains (such as, for example, a castle) a magnetometer will not be able to detect the stone material of the structure. In this instance, where there is a known stone-built monument or structure we would probably advise Earth Resistance or perhaps an Electromagnetic Induction Survey for your particular needs.

Processed data and interpreted image of a stone-built leper hospital found in an Electromagnetic data set (white represents stone/high resistivity)

Another consideration when specifying a technique appropriate to the type of archaeology being sought is the size and morphology of the archaeological elements being investigated. Narrow slot trenches, pits, post holes, grave cuts, relict flowerbeds or other small dug features will be extremely difficult to find using standard sample intervals. Very high resolution surveys can be used to locate small elements, however in the case of very small features such as stake holes, neonatal burials or small pits the archaeology is so ephemeral that even a very high resolution survey may not locate any remains. All of these things are taken into consideration along with the terrain and type of geology and we will happily oblige in recommending the most effective technique or combination of techniques for the archaeology being investigated and in full consideration of the environment we are searching in.

If there is anything else that you are curious about in regards to what we can do for you, then please feel free to contact us.

Say Hello to the ‘Earthwalker’

Our latest magnetometer array is the Earthwalker – the first in-house piece of equipment created by Earthsound Geophysics. The Earthwalker was designed, sourced and built by Earthsound’s Cian Hogan, with input and help from all staff.

Cian constructing the Earthwalker

Our regular multi-sensor magnetometer array uses a wheeled cart – however, due to increasing demand to undertake fieldwork in remote and challenging terrain, a more suitable and sturdy option was required. From uplands and rocky outcrops to dunefields and the inter-tidal zone, Earthsound’s new Earthwalker array allows us to carry out high-resolution GPS-acquired magnetometry no matter what the terrain.

The Earthwalker had its maiden survey at Knocknashee Hillfort, as part of the 2017 season of the Knocknashee Archaeology Project – and it was a great success! It took 8 people to transport our survey gear – 2 x GPS, 8 x ranging rods, food for the day (most important!), a metal detector, survey flags, 4 x magnetometers, an electronics box, and the Earthwalker array – to the top of the hill.

Heading up Knocknashee with the Earthwalker

Earthsound surveyors worked together to collect data over 9 Ha of data, developing a methodology and refining the array.The Earthwalker delivered the first large scale, high-resolution assessment of the Knocknashee hillfort interior.

…and here’s our regular (wheeled) magnetometer cart:

Vinegar Hill Battlefield Research Project

Project: Vinegar Hill Battlefield Research Project

Location: Vinegar Hill, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

Year: 2016-ongoing

Client: 1798 Interpretation Centre

Funding: Wexford County Council (2016, 2017)

Aim: Earthsound, together with Rubicon Heritage Services, IT Sligo and Cotswold Archaeology have carried out a series of geophysical and metal detecting surveys across the purported location of the 1798 Vinegar Hill Battlefield, with a view to confirming its location and systematically investigating elements of the battlefield. Earthsound have carried out high resolution Magnetometer, Earth Resistance, Electrical Resistivity Tomography and Metal Detection surveys.

Outcomes: The geophysical survey results are currently being written up for publication in a monograph and the investigation will be the subject of an upcoming documentary.

ERT probes set out at 1m intervals.

Dr James Bonsall explains the principles of ERT.

Knocknashee Archaeology Project

Project: The Knocknashee Archaeology Project

Location: Knocknashee, Lavagh, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo

Year: 2016-ongoing

Client: Dr. Dirk Brandherm, Queen’s University Belfast

Funding: Royal Irish Academy Grant (2016, 2017)

Aim: The purpose of the geophysical surveys was to assess hut sites on the plateau of Knocknashee, a hillfort complex which also contains two Passage Tombs. In 2016 the entire hillfort interior – more than 20 ha in size – was assessed with Magnetic Susceptibility to identify zonations of activity. Specific clusters of huts and enclosures were further investigated with high resolution Magnetometry and Earth Resistance surveys. The 2017 survey used the ‘Earthwalker’ Magnetometer array across the southern half of the plateau and targeted Metal Detection surveys.

Social Media: Knocknashee Archaeology Project Facebook Page

Outcomes: The 2016 geophysical survey results are currently being written up for publication in a future edition of Emania. The results were used to target a series of excavations in 2017, under the direction of Dr. Dirk Brandherm.