Imagine you’re about to build a new playground in your schoolyard. Before you can start digging and construction, you need to make sure there are no hidden surprises buried beneath the ground. This is where archaeological surveys come in. An archaeological survey is a careful examination of an area to find and identify archaeological sites, which are places where people have lived, worked, or played in the past. Archaeologists like me can do this in several ways.
The easiest way to look for sites is to simply walk around! Archaeologists might notice things like changes in the ground surface, unusual vegetation, or scattered pieces of pottery or other artifacts. If a farmer ploughed their field, the machinery might bring buried objects up to the surface that we can find. However, we do not have X-ray vision to see beneath the surface. We need special machines to do that.
At the castle, I used two scientific instruments – a magnetometer and a ground penetrating radar . These machines use a principle called ‘geophysics’, the study of the physical properties of the earth in order to look for changes that might indicate that people lived in the area in the past.
Geophysics is the study of the Earth’s physical properties using a variety of techniques including magnetism, resistivity, and radar reflection.
How can we see under the soil without digging?
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a device that uses radar waves to image the subsurface. It is commonly used by archaeologists to locate buried objects and structures. GPR works by sending electromagnetic waves into the ground. The waves are reflected back to the surface by objects and structures in the ground. The strength of the reflected waves is used to create an image of the subsurface.
How does this help?
Once archaeologists have gathered information about the area, they can create a map showing the location of any archaeological sites. This information is important for several reasons:
- It helps to protect archaeological sites from being damaged or destroyed by development: If archaeologists know where there are archaeological sites, they can work with developers to plan construction projects in a way that avoids damaging the sites.
- It tells us about the past: Archaeological sites can contain a wealth of information about the people who lived in the past, including their homes, their tools, and their customs.
- It can help us to understand our own history: By studying the past, we can learn about ourselves and our place in the world.
Note to teachers: The following Key Stage 2 outcomes can be combined when discussing the role of geophysics and archaeology.
Key Stage 2 learning outcomes in history
- Chronology: Students should be able to understand the concept of time and how events have unfolded over time. They should be able to place events in chronological order and understand their significance.
- Key events: Students should be able to identify and understand key events in British history, including the Norman Conquest, the Industrial Revolution, and the First World War.
- Causes and consequences: Students should be able to explain the causes and consequences of key events in British history.
- Historical sources: Students should be able to use a variety of historical sources, including written records, artefacts, and oral traditions.
Key Stage 2 learning outcomes in science
- Living things: Students should be able to understand the characteristics of living things, including their ability to grow, reproduce, and adapt. They should be able to identify and classify different types of living things.
- Materials: Students should be able to understand the properties of different materials, including their ability to change state and their suitability for different purposes. They should be able to investigate and explain the properties of materials.
- Forces and movement: Students should be able to understand the forces that act on objects, including gravity, friction, and magnetism. They should be able to investigate and explain the effects of forces on movement.
Key Stage 2 learning outcomes in geography
- Location and place: Students should be able to locate places on maps and understand the physical and human features of different places.
- Environmental change and sustainability: Students should be able to understand the causes and consequences of environmental change and how to live sustainably.
- Geographical processes: Students should be able to understand the processes that shape the Earth’s surface, including weather, erosion, and deposition.
- People and cultures: Students should be able to understand the different cultures of the world and how people interact with their environment.