Earthwork Surveying

Earthwork surveying is the detailed, accurate mapping of 'lumps and bumps' - the visible surface features like ditches, banks, and mounds to understand past human activity. It uses techniques like GPS and total stations to create detailed plans and profiles of sites, allowing archaeologists to interpret the layout and development of features like ancient settlements, field systems, and hillforts. This is a powerful analytical tool for non-invasive documentation and interpretation of archaeological landscapes.

What it maps: It records above-ground features that result from human activity, such as banks, ditches, mounds, and hollow ways.

Purpose: To produce an accurate and detailed map of the visible remains to interpret them without excavation. It helps identify the location, size, and layout of lost settlements, field systems, and defensive structures.

Methodology:

• • Measured Survey: Uses tools like electronic survey equipment (total stations, GPS) or historically theodolites, dumpy levels and plane tables to record precise locations and elevations.

  • Depiction/Digitization: The data is then used to create digital or manual maps and profiles.

LiDAR

The group also make increasing use of LiDAR images, which are available online (from sites such as LiDAR Finder - https://www.lidarfinder.com/).

LiDAR is a remote sensing technology that uses pulsed laser light to measure distances to the Earth's surface, creating precise 3D models of the surrounding terrain and objects. It works by emitting laser pulses and measuring the time it takes for the light to reflect back to the sensor, which is then used to calculate the distance. This data can be processed to create a detailed "point cloud," and then filtered to produce different types of maps.  This technology can even penetrate tree cover to map any earthworks that may be hidden in woodland areas.