Verlucio and Environs Project, Bowood Estate, Calne Without, Wiltshire: Report on Geophysical Surveys, February 2018
Author(s): Neil Linford, Paul Linford, Andy Payne
Caesium magnetometer and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys were conducted over a series of cropmarks, including the site of the Nuthills Roman villa, Bowood Estate, Calne Without, Wiltshire, as part of the Verlucio and Environs project. The vehicle-towed caesium magnetometer survey (13.3ha) covered cropmark remains of a rectilinear enclosure, possibly of Iron Age or Roman date and an extensive complex of enclosure ditches and field systems surrounding the site of the Nuthills Roman villa, whilst the GPR coverage (5.6ha) targeted the site of the possible buildings. The results of the magnetic survey enhance the cropmark record and suggest a far more elaborate system of enclosures some of which may, in part, have survived into more recent field boundaries. There is also evidence in the magnetic data for extensive structural remains and potentially significant thermoremanent anomalies. The GPR survey has confirmed the presence of structural remains associated with a number of buildings and other fragments of walls. Together with the enclosure complex defined by the magnetic surveys the number, varied orientation and apparent form of the buildings suggest, perhaps, a site of greater ritual significance than a farmstead villa.
- Report Number:
- 41/2018
- Series:
- Research Report
- Pages:
- 13
- Keywords:
- Caesium Vapour Geophysical Survey Ground Penetrating Radar Iron Age Magnetometer Roman
