Magnetic Susceptibility
Magnetic Susceptibility is a rapid reconnaissance technique that can provide a broad assessment of large sites identifying areas of interest to develop a detailed geophysical or excavation strategy. Magnetic Susceptibility surveys can also be used within excavation contexts, mapping the susceptibility content of individual features, divisions or zones. 
Earthsound often supplement other survey techniques, such as magnetic gradiometer investigations, with magnetic susceptibility surveys, as they are a useful indicator of archaeological trends and tell us about the ability of a soil to become magnetised which has implications for the success or otherwise of a survey.
Magnetic Susceptibility is used to assess soils for areas that are susceptible to a magnetic field. The ability of a soil to become magnetised indicates environmental, geological, agricultural and, importantly for us, archaeological anomalies. The soil is assessed in the field using a hand held device placed upon the ground surface; its susceptibility to a temporary magnetic field can be recorded digitally using a GPS, creating a basemap of potential archaeological activity.
Magnetic susceptibility is an ideal method for locating areas of:
- Burning
- Industry
- Occupation sites
- Field systems
- Soil variations