Site Near Sudbury, Suffolk: Report on Geophysical Surveys, October 2021
Author(s): Neil Linford, Paul Linford, Andy Payne, Ashley Cooper, Megan Clements
Caesium magnetometer and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys were conducted at a site near Sudbury, Suffolk, in response to an East Region casework request to better define the extents of the known Roman villa at the site first discovered by the landowner in 1948. Previous excavations have uncovered remains of several masonry and timber buildings together with evidence for wider settlement activity identified through field walking and an earlier magnetic survey. Vehicle-towed caesium magnetometer survey (18.4ha) revealed a wealth of geophysical anomalies, including the location of both previously known and potentially new buildings and enclosures, together with evidence suggesting semi-industrial activity. The GPR coverage (10.8ha) produced partial evidence of the main villa building, similar to a previous trial survey with this technique, but successfully managed to identify additional masonry building remains in the wider landscape and a possible Roman water supply pipe. Together, the two datasets have provided a clearer picture of the layout and extent of the previously excavated Roman remains and suggested some additional activity beyond the bounds of the scheduled area.
- Report Number:
- 58/2022
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 36
- Keywords:
- Caesium Vapour Geophysical Survey Ground Penetrating Radar
