NRA/TII Geophysical Guidance Document Now Online

Posted on March 23, 2016 by earthsound_admin

The use of archaeological geophysics on national road schemes between 2001 and 2010 has been comprehensively reviewed as part of a National Roads Authority (NRA, now known as TII – Transport Infrastructure Ireland) archaeological research project funded through the NRA Fellowship Programme. The study, which was awarded funding in 2010, was carried out by James Bonsall, Dr Chris Gaffney and Professor Ian Armit from the University of Bradford in the UK. Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics acted as the university’s industrial partner in the research.

The research delivered a set of guidelines entitled Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010, which has been used by the NRA/TII to commission new geophysical surveys based on lessons learnt from the study. The document has recently been published online by the NRA/TII and other outlets.

The guidance document includes:

a review of previous geophysical surveys on NRA road schemes,
typical geophysical responses to a range of archaeological features, soils and geologies
a discussion of the limitations of various methods
advice on how to carry out surveys in ‘challenging’ conditions, landscapes and geologies
a Specification Key that assists non-geophysicists to determine the most appropriate geophysical technique(s) for a given study area or receiving environment.

Choice of geophysical survey methods for use on Irish road schemes. (Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I 2014. Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010. Report by the Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford.)

Idealised performance of geophysical techniques upon principle Irish geologies. (Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I 2014. Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010. Report by the Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford.)

Theoretical capability scores for idealised responses of archaeological features. (Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I 2014. Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010. Report by the Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford.)

Historic methods of prospection from the 2001-2010 NRA Legacy Data. (Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I 2014. Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010. Report by the Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford.)

Executive Summary of the Guidance Document

(Bonsall et al. 2014: 1)

This [guidance] document reviews Legacy Data generated from 10 years’ worth of road scheme activity in Ireland to determine how archaeological geophysical surveys could be carried out on national roads in the future. The geophysical surveys were carried out by several different contractors across a range of challenging field conditions, geologies, weather and seasons. The research is based upon the results of linear schemes but also has validity for wider approaches. The findings of this research are based upon the compilation of all terrestrial archaeological geophysical surveys carried out on behalf of the National Roads Authority (NRA), a review of the success or otherwise of those surveys in comparison with ground-observed excavations and in combination with experimental surveys that tested previously held assumptions or knowledge to determine best practice methods for the future.

The use and success of geophysical surveys in Ireland differ quite significantly from those in the UK, from where many of the methods of assessment were derived or adapted. Many of these differences can be attributed to geology. Ireland has a very high percentage of Carboniferous limestone geology, overlain mostly by tills and frequent occurrences of peat. These soils can reduce, to some extent, the effectiveness of magnetometer surveys; the most frequently used geophysical technique in Ireland. However, magnetometer data can be maximised in these cases by increasing the spatial resolution to produce effective results. An increase in spatial resolution is also effective generally, for enhancing the chances of identifying archaeological features by discriminating between archaeological and geological anomalies as well as increasing anomaly definition and visualisation of small and subtle archaeological features.

Outputs of the Research

Other outputs of the NRA Fellowship research have included:

A PhD for James Bonsall, which was awarded in 2014.
James was selected as a finalist to present his research at the prestigious Transport Research Arena 2012 conference and was awarded the silver medal in the Environmental Pillar for his presentation.
A preliminary review of progress in Issue 6 of Seanda NRA Archaeology Magazine (published in December 2011) and a paper at the 2012 NRA National Archaeology Seminar. This paper, co-authored by James Bonsall, Dr Chris Gaffney and Professor Ian Armit, was published in the subsequent seminar proceedings in autumn 2013.
An online database from which NRA-commissioned geophysical reports. The NRA Archaeological Geophysical Survey Database was launched in April 2013 and an article about this important online resource was published in Issue 8 of Seanda.

Related publications

Bonsall, J 2011 ‘Ten years of archaeogeophysics’, Seanda, No. 6, 38–9.

Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I 2013 ‘Back and forth: paving the way forward by assessing 10 years of geophysical surveys on Irish road schemes’, in B Kelly, N Roycroft & M Stanley (eds), Futures and Pasts: archaeological science on Irish road schemes, 1–13. Archaeology and the National Roads Authority Monograph Series No. 10. National Roads Authority, Dublin.

Bonsall, J, Gaffney, C & Armit, I 2014 Preparing for the Future: a re-appraisal of archaeo-geophysical surveying on Irish National Road Schemes 2001-2010. Report by the Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences, University of Bradford.

Bonsall, J, Sparrow, T, Gaffney, C, Armit, I & Swan, R 2013 ‘Underground, overground’, Seanda, No. 8, 14–15.

Lecture at Kilmovee Community Centre: ‘Archaeology of Kilcashel’

Posted on December 17, 2015 by earthsound_admin

Archaeology of Kilcashel.

Dr James Bonsall, director of Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics and Lecturer at IT Sligo gave a talk on the latest findings from the Kilcashel Landscape Project at the Kilmovee Winter Lecture Series on Tuesday December 15th, in the Kilmovee Community Centre, Co. Mayo.

Dr James Bonsall talks at the Kilmovee Winter Lecture Series about the Kilcashel Landscape Project at Kilmovee.

James’ talk focused on the range of archaeological sites in Kilcashel, from Bronze Age fulacht fia to medieval cashels and 19th century mud cabins.

James was also interested in people’s use, experience or memories of the archaeological sites in Kilcashel townland – the cashels that are no longer there, Father Henry’s Fort and any other memories of buildings, archaeology and folklore. These all contributed to a Database of Archaeology in Kilcashel townland, which led to the longest Q&A session in the history of the Kilmovee Winter Lecture Series!

Earthsound attend the 11th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection

Posted on September 19, 2015 by earthsound_admin

Earthsound directors Dr. James Bonsall and Heather Gimson flew over to the University of Warsaw this week to participate in the 11th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection.

After last nights fantastic thunder storm Warsaw Uni is looking pretty this morning #ISAP2015 pic.twitter.com/4Tt4xKjvWN

— Dr James Bonsall (@DrJamesBonsall) September 16, 2015

James presented a paper based on his PhD research, You know it’s summer in Ireland when the rain gets warmer: Analysing repetitive time-lapse earth resistance data to determine ‘optimal’ survey climate conditions. Earthsound were the Industrial Partner in the research which was carried out by James and the University of Bradford. Earthsound provided equipment and logistical support for the investigation while Earthsound surveyor Darren Regan assisted James every month for the 14 month long time-lapse earth resistance survey carried out at Tuam, Co. Galway. The investigation examined the impact of weather on the outcomes of earth resistance surveys on behalf of the archaeology section of the National Roads Authority. The paper was live tweeted – here are some of the highlights:

Last but not least, @DrJamesBonsall talking about using repetetive time-lapse earth resistance data to optimise survey conditions #ISAP2015

— Kayt Armstrong (@girlwithtrowel) September 17, 2015

#ISAP2015 @DrJamesBonsall @resandmag headlining today's conference #seasonalityrules

— Robert Fry (@robfry2000) September 17, 2015

Moisture contrasts obvs important for earth resistance surveys. 2nd most used technique in Irish archaeology #ISAP2015

— Kayt Armstrong (@girlwithtrowel) September 17, 2015

Developer led survey: you can't chose when you work. Wanted to quantify the quality of their surveys in terms of 'optimum wetness' #ISAP2015

— Kayt Armstrong (@girlwithtrowel) September 17, 2015

Climate in Ireland is rather rainy.. but no archaeological specific time-lapse resistivity assessments done until now #ISAP2015

— Kayt Armstrong (@girlwithtrowel) September 17, 2015

Stella research in association with essential commercial partners @EAG_Earthsound #ISAP2015

— Robert Fry (@robfry2000) September 17, 2015

Ireland in one word. @DrJamesBonsall @resandmag with Irish seasonality #ISAP2015 pic.twitter.com/Cy6KN5C6sn

— Chrys Harris (@chrysharris) September 17, 2015

Evapotranspiration rate rather than overall wetness or temperature seems to be most important factor. #ISAP2015

— Kayt Armstrong (@girlwithtrowel) September 17, 2015

Oo love a bit of seasonality stats and contrast factors #phd memories #ISAP2015

— Robert Fry (@robfry2000) September 17, 2015

Also looked at how well dicthes contrasted to background at each survey. Assumed we need at least 5-10% to 'detect' as archaeology #ISAP2015

— Kayt Armstrong (@girlwithtrowel) September 17, 2015

they got at least 13% contrast all year round, so statistically ditches detectable all year round. April 'best' for all arrays. #ISAP2015

— Kayt Armstrong (@girlwithtrowel) September 17, 2015

Wenner array 'best' for contrasts #ISAP2015

— Robert Fry (@robfry2000) September 17, 2015

Review of 'optimal months' from literature v muddy picture: better to talk about weather conditions directly. #ISAP2015

— Kayt Armstrong (@girlwithtrowel) September 17, 2015

best periods when evapotranspiration rates exceed rainfall rates: soils that are slightly drying. #ISAP2015

— Kayt Armstrong (@girlwithtrowel) September 17, 2015

James was also a co-author (with Chrys Harris et al.) on High Royds: An integrated, analytical approach for mapping the unmarked burials of a pauper cemetery, a paper that examined the differing properties of graves that were mapped (and/or unmapped) via magnetometry, multiple earth resistance arrays, electromagnetic induction and ground penetrating radar.

First: #highroyds mapping unmarked #pauper #burials by @chrysharris @resandmag @popefinn @DrJamesBonsall @robfry2000 @parkynspace #ISAP2015

— Dr James Bonsall (@DrJamesBonsall) September 16, 2015

Both papers are now published in Archaeologia Polona Vol. 53, a special edition of the journal containing the conference proceedings.

James was tweeting (as @DrJamesBonsall) throughout the Conference, which you can follow via #ISAP2015 or read tweets from the whole event via a Storify Archive by Dr. Kayt Armstrong.

Heritage Week 2014 – Part 1 – Carry out your own Geophysical Survey!

Posted on August 28, 2014 by earthsound_admin

Mayfield Lake, Wetlands and its Archaeological Heritage.

Earthsound director Dr James Bonsall gave a talk and guided walk on the archaeological heritage of Mayfield Lake and Clare Lake, Claremorris, as part of Heritage Week, in the Mayfield Community Building, in Claremorris on the 28th August.

The local audience joined in and told great stories of old place names and memories of fishing in Mayfield Lake. After the talk, James led the audience out to McMahon Park to let them carry out their own archaeological survey.

Heritage Week 2014 – Part 2 – Meeting the Minister at Archaeofest

Posted on August 23, 2014 by earthsound_admin

Earthsound’s Dr. James Bonsall attended the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland Archaeofest event in Merrion Square, Dublin for the official launch of Heritage Week.

James encouraged visitors to carry out a geophysical survey in the park whilst explaining how instruments are used to detect buried archaeological features.

Among those that collected data were Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, who was very interested in the use of geophysical data on Irish infrastructure projects.

Commercial Archaeological Geophysics Seminar, University of Bradford

Posted on March 15, 2014 by earthsound_admin

Earthsound director James Bonsall attended the first Commercial Archaeological Geophysics Seminar (#CAGS2014), at the University of Bradford, UK this week. Earthsound were the only Irish representatives at the event which brought together commercial practitioners, consultants, government stakeholders, curators and archaeologists to discuss the development of commercial geophysical surveys.

James presented the Irish perspective on commercial geophysical surveys (watch the video below) in his paper Tales from Across the Water: Analysing the Irish Experience of Geophysical Surveys, which discusses the limitations of magnetic scanning compared to detailed surveys. The paper was co-authored with Dr. Chris Gaffney and Prof. Ian Armit (University of Bradford) and Rónán Swan, NRA Head of Archaeology.

Lecture at the Athy Heritage Centre-Museum

Posted on November 7, 2013 by earthsound_admin

Town Walls and Castles – Recent Geophysical Discoveries in Athy.

Earthsound director Heather Gimson gave a lecture in the Athy Heritage Centre-Museum yesterday, County Kildare. Heather presented the results of our research on the Athy Town Walls and Castles which we’ve been working on for a number of years. This year we focused on using Ground Penetrating Radar and Electrical Resistivity Tomography over the Town Walls and Black Castle Tower which are located under a number of gardens and yards. The lecture was well attended and the audience included the Mayor of Athy.

Lecture in Athy – ‘What is Archaeological Geophysics?’

Posted on September 19, 2013 by earthsound_admin

What is Archaeological Geophysics?

Earthsound director Heather Gimson gave a lecture in the Athy Heritage Centre-Museum yesterday, County Kildare. Heather is working in Athy this week looking for evidence of the Town Walls and Castles using archaeological geophysical techniques. Heather explained the aims of the research and how geophysical surveys actually work. Many of those that attended the lecture are part of the project – the work currently involves surveying a number of peoples back gardens and yards to trace the medieval archaeology.

Heather will return to Athy in November to present the findings of the research.

Lecture – Achill Island Archaeology Centre

Posted on July 29, 2011 by earthsound_admin

A Brief History of Archaeological Geophysics in Ireland

Earthsound director James Bonsall will be giving a lecture to students and friends of the Achill Archaeological Field School at the Achill Island Archaeology Centre, Dooagh in County Mayo on Tuesday 2nd August.

James, who has been directing geophysical surveys across Ireland since 2002, has recently begun work on a PhD at the University of Bradford, reviewing the application of geophysical methods on Irish road schemes. As part of his research, James and Earthsound’s Darren Regan have spent the last week studying the pre-bog field walls on Slievemore, Achill Island using novel geophysical techniques and will be sharing some of his preliminary findings.

James’s talk will give a brief outline of geophysical methods and history, his own research and share some of his recent experiences working with the University of Bradford on the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project in the UK.

A Brief History of Archaeological Geophysics in Ireland by James Bonsall will commence at 8pm on Tuesday 2nd August in the Achill Island Archaeology Centre, Dooagh, Achill, Co. Mayo.

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