Site Event/Activity record ENT4355 - Geophysical Survey at Two Oaks Farm

Location

Location Two Oaks Farm, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Grid reference SK 53483 56881 (point)
Map sheet SK55NW
District Ashfield
Civil Parish Sutton in Ashfield, Ashfield

Technique(s)

Organisation

Pre-Construct Archaeology

Date

Not recorded.

Map

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Description

Magnetic susceptibility and fluxgate gradiometer surveys were carried out on land at Two Oaks Farm, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. This work formed part of an archaeological evaluation in advance of mineral extraction. The 101ha site lies approximately 3.5km south of Mansfield town centre, in the parish of Sutton in Ashfield. There is little recorded evidence of archaeology in the vicinity of the site. A desk based assessment took place and concluded that the archaeological potential of the site was uncertain. The following geophysical surveys took place : Topsoil Magnetic Susceptibility: The level of topsoil magnetic susceptibility was measured across the entire site at 10 m intervals along 10m traverses. The data was recorded by hand and subsequently inputted into ArchaeoSurveyor 1.3.0.7 for analysis and plotting. Gradiometry: The gradiometer survey was undertaken using two Bartington Grad-601 Dual Fluxgate Gradiometers. The zigzag traverse method of survey was used, employing 1.0m wide traverses with readings taken at 0.25m intervals within 30m x 30m grids or along 22m wide transects. The data was processed using ArcheoSurveyor 1.3.0.6. It was clipped to reduce the distorting effects of extremely high or low readings caused by discrete pieces of ferrous metals on the site. The survey recorded a random spread of anomalies, apparent in all survey areas as a ‘mottling’. Despite the ‘pit-like’ magnetic resolution of these features, it is likely that the anomalies actually reflect natural inconsistencies, such as tree boles reflecting former woodland and/or discrete pockets of ferrous mineral deposits associated with the sandy soils. The survey also detected magnetically strong dipolar anomalies in all areas. Typically, these reflect both modern ferrous-rich objects within top/plough soil for example; plough shares, horseshoes and brick/tile fragments. However, on this particular site, it is also possible that these include high concentrations of ferrous-rich minerals Magnetic susceptibility survey: Broad zones of relatively strong magnetic susceptibility were identi-fied in the western and southern regions, respectively. Less pronounced, though potentially significant, variation was also recorded. With reference to the geophysical survey as a stand-alone report, it is concluded that the site does not contain any significant archaeological remains, where widespread and random variation almost certainly relates to natural features and/or tree boles. For the most part, variations of magnetic susceptibility across the site appear to reflect natural inconsistencies within the top soil, where detailed gradiometer survey across zones of enhancement has produced no evidence of anthropogenetic activity (with the possible exception of a linear zone of higher readings along the route of a buried service thought possibly to be a buried irrigation pipe). The gradiometer survey also recorded services in other regions, although there was no corresponding enhancement of magnetic susceptibility.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • --- Unpublished document: D. Bunn. 2008. Geophysical Surey: Two Oaks Farm, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

  • Two Oaks Farm (Building)

Record last edited

Mar 4 2025 12:37PM

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