Launceston Castle, Launceston, Cornwall: Report on Geophysical Surveys, January 2022
Author(s): Neil Linford, Andy Payne
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and earth resistance surveys were conducted over accessible areas of the Castle Green and bailey at Launceston Castle, Launceston, Cornwall following a request from the English Heritage Trust who manage the site. The aim of the geophysical survey was to identify any significant remains surviving within this area, to improve visitor information and better inform the management of the site. GPR survey (0.37ha) was conducted over the majority of the Castle Green, with additional earth resistance (0.1ha) coverage across limited areas of level ground within the boundary of the guardianship site. While anomalies were detected over the Castle Green many of these appear to be associated with the wartime hospital buildings that used to cover most of the site. Some deeper lying, fragmented responses share the orientation of the excavated medieval buildings and may, possibly, represent more significant wall footings or drains. Interpretation of the earth resistance data was hampered by the keyhole nature of the available survey area interrupted by modern paths, although some areas of raised response could represent more significant deposits of building rubble over the presumed location of the former town gaol.
- Report Number:
- 56/2022
- Series:
- Research Report
- Pages:
- 8
- Keywords:
- Earth Resistance Geophysical Survey Ground Penetrating Radar
