Earth Resistance surveys measure changes in soil moisture at the near-surface by passing a small electrical current through the sub-soil. Earthsound collect our data through a range of different surveying arrays, depending on the terrain and requirements/constraints of the site. These include frame-mounted and cart-mounted techniques which vary in terms of the way in which they collect data and the pace at which surveys can be completed, but collect the same type of data and yield the same or similar results. This technique is particularly useful for the assessment of castles and ecclesiastical sites where structural remains are present as, unlike magnetometry for example, it will be able to detect stone/masonry elements such as foundations or wall footings. It is also used to detect ditched enclosure complexes, ponds and disturbed soils. This technique is an extremely useful means of prospecting for archaeology although it can be hindered by recent climatic events such as spells of inclement weather.
An earth resistance survey being carried out with the hand-held RM15 array
Surveying with the MSP40 cart-based system (the ‘Jalopy’)
Example of Earth Resistance Data from Drumholm, Co. Donegal
Interpretation drawing from earth resistance survey results.
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