Sensing the late Iron Age and Roman Past: geophysics and the landscape of Hertfordshire.
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Institute of Archaeology
Abstract
In the late Iron Age and Roman period Hertfordshire was a densely settled county. A number of Iron Age "proto-towns" - oppida -are known or suspected including Wheathampstead, Verulamium/St Albans, Welches Farm and Braughing. Some of these sites developed into the towns of the Roman period including the major site at Verulamium, the third largest town in the province. As well as the towns, a network of rural sites ranging from Roman villas to modest farmsteads existed, probably as many as one per square kilometre. In places, the pre-Roman field systems have survived to the modern day.
Although much research has been conducted on both the towns and the rural sites, for example the excavations at Verulamium, Gorhambury, Baldock, Dicket Mead and Chells, there is still much we do not know about the layout of these sites and their relationship to each other. Excavation, perhaps the best known archaeological research technique, is expensive and slow and can only look at relatively small areas. Aerial photography, especially the 100% survey commissioned by Hertfordshire CC in 2010, has added many new sites and information to our understanding, but is less good for producing more detailed plans of sites, especially the smaller rural sites.
This project, therefore, aims to examine a variety of Iron Age and Roman sites across the county using geophysical survey techniques, principally magnetometry. By using a magnetometer we can create plans of what lies beneath the soil without having to resort to excavation. Although lacking in the chronological precision of excavation, it can provide a valuable intermediate level of data between the aerial image and an excavated site. We will be surveying the Roman town at Verulamium as well as other sites across the county. The survey results will be combined and examined using GIS.
The project is formed of a coalition of interested groups including the Institute of Archaeology, UCL, the Welwyn Archaeological Society, the St Albans and Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society, the North Hertfordshire Archaeological Society, the Welwyn Hatfield and St Albans branches of the Young Archaeologists Club, Welwyn Hatfield Museum Service, St Albans Museums, St Albans City Council and the Hertfordshire Historic Environment Record. Training is being provided in the use of an advanced cart-based magnetometer for undertaking these surveys across the county. In addition, a week long summer school will be run for any community heritage group member.
The results of this project will allow us to examine issues such as the layout and development of Verulamium, the nature of the numerous enclosures in the county, and the pattern of rural settlement. The results will also be fed back into the Herts Historic Environment Record to help them protect our county's heritage. The progress of the project can be followed via the project's website and blog, and the results will be published and presented in a variety of places including a one day conference at the end of the project.
Although much research has been conducted on both the towns and the rural sites, for example the excavations at Verulamium, Gorhambury, Baldock, Dicket Mead and Chells, there is still much we do not know about the layout of these sites and their relationship to each other. Excavation, perhaps the best known archaeological research technique, is expensive and slow and can only look at relatively small areas. Aerial photography, especially the 100% survey commissioned by Hertfordshire CC in 2010, has added many new sites and information to our understanding, but is less good for producing more detailed plans of sites, especially the smaller rural sites.
This project, therefore, aims to examine a variety of Iron Age and Roman sites across the county using geophysical survey techniques, principally magnetometry. By using a magnetometer we can create plans of what lies beneath the soil without having to resort to excavation. Although lacking in the chronological precision of excavation, it can provide a valuable intermediate level of data between the aerial image and an excavated site. We will be surveying the Roman town at Verulamium as well as other sites across the county. The survey results will be combined and examined using GIS.
The project is formed of a coalition of interested groups including the Institute of Archaeology, UCL, the Welwyn Archaeological Society, the St Albans and Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society, the North Hertfordshire Archaeological Society, the Welwyn Hatfield and St Albans branches of the Young Archaeologists Club, Welwyn Hatfield Museum Service, St Albans Museums, St Albans City Council and the Hertfordshire Historic Environment Record. Training is being provided in the use of an advanced cart-based magnetometer for undertaking these surveys across the county. In addition, a week long summer school will be run for any community heritage group member.
The results of this project will allow us to examine issues such as the layout and development of Verulamium, the nature of the numerous enclosures in the county, and the pattern of rural settlement. The results will also be fed back into the Herts Historic Environment Record to help them protect our county's heritage. The progress of the project can be followed via the project's website and blog, and the results will be published and presented in a variety of places including a one day conference at the end of the project.
Planned Impact
The impact of this project can be divided into two areas: the impact of the results of the research and the impact of the process of the research.
The four main groups of beneficiaries are: academia (principally archaeologists and ancient historians but potentially also geophysicists), the public sector (specifically the Hertfordshire Historic Environment Record, and the various collaborating museum services), the general public (largely members of community heritage groups such as the archaeological societies and the Young Archaeologists Clubs, but also individuals) and possibly schools if we can build links via the YACs.
The first two groups are likely to benefit most (but not exclusively) from the results of the research, the latter groups will benefit from both the results and the process.
Academia
The impact on academia has largely been explored in the "Academic Beneficiaries" section of this application. In addition to the issues discussed there, academia will benefit from building a closer relationship with the community heritage groups involved as well as, more broadly, disseminating information about the project and how those relationships were built. Knowledge exchange is also two-way: local community groups have detailed knowledge of their area, often unpublished.
Public Sector
The Hertfordshire HER has a responsibility for protecting and managing the archaeological resource in the county and does this via maintaining the record, and advising the planning authorities and developers. By feeding back the results of the project to the HER this will "increase... the quality of the advice that the HCC Historic Environment Unit provides in responding to development proposals and agri-environment schemes" (Bryant, in letter of support). In addition, the collaboration of the HHER with the community heritage groups will improve the latter's understanding of the role of the HHER and its potential. The district archaeologist for St Albans City Council fulfills a similar role at a more local level, and the benefits to the City Council are similar. Local museums are clearly a major contributor to the cultural heritage of the UK but the current economic crisis has put them under great financial pressure, and indeed many have been closed down, e.g., Harlow. By facilitating the work of the project and then helping to display and disseminate the results, the local museums involved will be able to build even stronger links to community groups and with academia, and demonstrate their irreplaceable role in the cultural life of the nation.
The general public
The community heritage groups involved will benefit in many ways. 1) By gaining the results of the surveys for the sites/landscapes they are involved and interested in. 2) By gaining skills in geophysical survey and access to advanced equipment including beyond the end of the project. 3) By making their groups and activities more publicly visible to a wider range of people. 4) Via 3, helping to build up and increase their membership and 5) by the creation of an informal network of community heritage groups across the county. In addition, the archaeological societies which mainly consist of older people will have the opportunity to work alongside the younger members of the YAC allowing both groups to appreciate the perspectives of the other.
Schools
At present the project core team does not include any school groups. We will, however, contact six-form colleges/schools with sixth formers with a view to creating links and involving interested teenagers in the work of the project. The pupils will benefit from training, contact with university based academics, and contact with archaeological society members.
The four main groups of beneficiaries are: academia (principally archaeologists and ancient historians but potentially also geophysicists), the public sector (specifically the Hertfordshire Historic Environment Record, and the various collaborating museum services), the general public (largely members of community heritage groups such as the archaeological societies and the Young Archaeologists Clubs, but also individuals) and possibly schools if we can build links via the YACs.
The first two groups are likely to benefit most (but not exclusively) from the results of the research, the latter groups will benefit from both the results and the process.
Academia
The impact on academia has largely been explored in the "Academic Beneficiaries" section of this application. In addition to the issues discussed there, academia will benefit from building a closer relationship with the community heritage groups involved as well as, more broadly, disseminating information about the project and how those relationships were built. Knowledge exchange is also two-way: local community groups have detailed knowledge of their area, often unpublished.
Public Sector
The Hertfordshire HER has a responsibility for protecting and managing the archaeological resource in the county and does this via maintaining the record, and advising the planning authorities and developers. By feeding back the results of the project to the HER this will "increase... the quality of the advice that the HCC Historic Environment Unit provides in responding to development proposals and agri-environment schemes" (Bryant, in letter of support). In addition, the collaboration of the HHER with the community heritage groups will improve the latter's understanding of the role of the HHER and its potential. The district archaeologist for St Albans City Council fulfills a similar role at a more local level, and the benefits to the City Council are similar. Local museums are clearly a major contributor to the cultural heritage of the UK but the current economic crisis has put them under great financial pressure, and indeed many have been closed down, e.g., Harlow. By facilitating the work of the project and then helping to display and disseminate the results, the local museums involved will be able to build even stronger links to community groups and with academia, and demonstrate their irreplaceable role in the cultural life of the nation.
The general public
The community heritage groups involved will benefit in many ways. 1) By gaining the results of the surveys for the sites/landscapes they are involved and interested in. 2) By gaining skills in geophysical survey and access to advanced equipment including beyond the end of the project. 3) By making their groups and activities more publicly visible to a wider range of people. 4) Via 3, helping to build up and increase their membership and 5) by the creation of an informal network of community heritage groups across the county. In addition, the archaeological societies which mainly consist of older people will have the opportunity to work alongside the younger members of the YAC allowing both groups to appreciate the perspectives of the other.
Schools
At present the project core team does not include any school groups. We will, however, contact six-form colleges/schools with sixth formers with a view to creating links and involving interested teenagers in the work of the project. The pupils will benefit from training, contact with university based academics, and contact with archaeological society members.
Organisations
- University College London (Lead Research Organisation)
- Welwyn Archaeological Society (Collaboration)
- East Herts Archaeological Society (Collaboration)
- West Essex Archaeological Group (Collaboration)
- Hertfordshire Historic Environment Record (Collaboration)
- St Albans Museum Service (Collaboration)
- St Albans and Hertfordshire Archaeological and Architectural Society (Collaboration)
- Leighton Buzzard and District Archaeological and Local History Society (Collaboration)
- North Herts Archaeological Society (Collaboration)
- Berkhamsted & District Archaeological Society (Collaboration)
- Braughing Archaeology Group (Collaboration)
- Chess Valley Archaeological & Historical Society (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Kris Lockyear (Principal Investigator) | |
| Andrew Bevan (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Lockyear, K.
(2015)
Archaeology in Hertfordshire: Recent Research
Lockyear, K.
(2017)
Under the Park. Recent geophysical surveys at Verulamium (St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK
in Archaeological Prospection
| Description | The project aimed to undertake a range of geophysical surveys on late Iron Age and Roman sites in the county and nearby. To this end, over a dozen sites have been surveyed: Broom Hall Farm, Watton at Stone; The Senuna Site, Ashwell; Gatesbury, Braughing; Little Hadham; Verulamium, St. Albans; Datchworth; Sarratt; Latimer; Page's Park, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire; Cholesbury, Buckinghamshire, Bushey Hall, Watford. As is expected, not all the surveys revealed significant features, either because of the lack of them, or because the technique used failed to detect them. Latimer and Sarratt Roman villas are good examples of the former problem, Gatesbury, Braughing, of the latter. In the case of Verulamium, Ashwell, Broom Hall Farm, Little Hadham and Page's Park, the surveys have been spectacularly successful. To highlight these successful results, I will concentrate on the surveys at Verulamium. The first tranche of surveys were in the Park. This represents approximately one half of the town, the third largest in Roman Britain. The entire town was surveyed using magnetometry at 20 readings per m. The survey took approximately 45 days over the period June 2013 to February 2014 and covers approximately 40ha. Knowledge of the plan of the town had previously been derived from the excavations of the Wheelers in the 1930s and Frere in the 60s. Some features were known from parch marks in the grass of the Park. The survey located many of the known features such as the so-called '1955 ditch' (the late first century boundary of the town) and some of the buildings partially investigated by Wheeler. The survey has, however, identified many new buildings across the town. Most appear to be town houses. Additionally, a number of pottery kilns have been identified along with large numbers of pits, hearths, ditches and other features. To highlight two: there is a ditch which goes from the SW corner of the 1955 ditch towards the 3rd century town walls. To the east of this ditch many structures and features can be seen, the north/west the data is very quiet. This ditch may represent a second century expansion of the town's limits to incorporate a busy suburb. The second example is a ditch with a rounded corner which is partly overlain by the southern bank of the third century walls. This seems likely to be a religious enclosure paralleled at Baldock. Other surveys have taken place incuding GPR which is revealing excellent details of the stone buildings and magnetic susceptibility which may show the extent of the second century fire. As reported last year, it was hoped to extend the survey into the Gorhambury Estate. We were allowed to do this in August 2015 completing 18 survey days and collecting 17.5ha of magnetometry data and 4ha of GPR data. The results are spectacular and include the location of the town's aqueduct. Access to a GPR has led to further work in the Park as well. The surveys will continue in 2017. The project has also created a new network of local amateur geophysicists backed by UCL, and provided skills training in the field. Update for 2017. The project has now completed 64.5ha of magnetometry at Verulamium, almost the entire available area within the town walls. The project has examined 21 sites over four years. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes of the project are already being taken forward. For example, the results of the Watton-at-Stone survey has enabled the Welwyn Archaeological Society to plot metal detected finds on the subsurface features to better understand the nature of the site. The Society is planning to excavate some of the features revealed by the survey, as well as expanding the survey to the west. The Leighton Buzzard Society were interested in a 19th century references to a Roman well in Page's Park. The survey has allowed them to identify potential archaeological features in the Park for further investigation. The societies from which the participating members were drawn now have a resource on which they can call to undertake surveys fundamental to their own research activities. The PI wishes to continue the investigations into Verulamium in collaboration with the local groups and statutory bodies. In particular, further surveys are needed (especially on the other half of the town) and some limited excavation to 'ground truth' the interpretations of the data. The Herts HER and St Albans Council/Museum will be able to use the results as part of their planning and education roles. For example, the mag data is being used to plan the replacement of the old metal gas main. |
| Sectors | Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| URL | http://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/ |
| Description | This grant was awarded under the auspices of the Connected Communities Scheme. As such, the grant was as much about the process as the immediate research outcomes. A number of groups have benefited from the research in varying ways and at varying levels. Firstly, and most obviously, the attendees at the week-long course in archaeological geophysics held at Verulamium in 2013 benefited from training in geophysics taught by world-leaders in the field. This represents a unique opportunity for this level of tuition and field training, especially for community heritage group members. The course evaluations were extremely positive and we have oft been asked if we are likely to re-run the course. The second group to benefit from the activities of the project were those who participated in the surveys. By practical experience, they can now plan and undertake surveys of their own. Since the end of the project grant twenty-six further surveys have been undertaken and a substantial new area of Verulamium surveyed. The whole of the available area of Verulamium has been surveyed using magnetometry, along with 19ha of the extramural settlement, and we are now extending this with GPR and Earth Resistance survey. This group has formed the Community Archaeology Geophysics Group, a loose cross-archaeological society organisation which aims to undertake surveys for local community heritage groups. As part of the activities of the project, members of the Young Archaeologists Club were introduced to geophysics. We also contributed to an event run jointly between the Prehistoric Society and YAC. In the process of surveying Verulamium Park, a very large number of interested passers-by spoke to members of the project team. This enabled us to both pass on information about geophysics and the project, but also about Verulamium itself and what lies beneath the turf of the Park increasing awareness of this internationally important site. Additionally, by pointing members of the public towards the project blog, they are able to access the results of all the surveys only days after they took place. We have had cards printed to give out about the project with the blog address and contact details. In terms of disseminating the results, so far 49 lectures have been delivered to community heritage groups in the county probably reaching some 1,000 people or more, and more are scheduled; four lectures have been given to local archaeology/history conferences; seven lectures have been given to more academic audiences including to CAA in Paris, the Near Surface Geophysics Group meeting in London and to the RGK in Frankfurt; training has also been given to the 'St Albans Blue Badge Guides' the official guides for the city. As well as the academic information provided by the surveys, the results are of use to statutory bodies. For example, the survey of Verulamium Park allows the St Albans and District Council, the St Albans Museum Service and the Hertfordshire Historic Environment Record (HER) to update their GIS/databases both adding in new information and correcting the location of known features (the Urban Archaeological Database and the HHER's GIS maps are inaccurate). The other sites surveyed by the project (including Little Hadham, Broom Hall Farm, Lower Sacombe, Gatesbury, Ashwell, Latimer, Sarrat, Page's Park) will enhance the Herts HER, contributing towards their ability to influence the planning process. Lastly, the various societies from which the team members were drawn are benefitting by access to the results for their particular sites. For example, the Welwyn Archaeological Society are planning to excavate some of the features revealed by the survey at Broom Hall Farm, the Leighton Buzzard Society now has information to allow them to investigate the archaeology of Page's Park in an informed way. The continued access to the equipment purchased by the project as well as the PI's continuing involvement with the Societies and CAGG ensures that the influence of the project is continuing to be felt long after the end of the grant. This year, access to UCL's dGPS has greatly aided the work, and the loan of SEAHA's Ground Penetrating Radar has greatly increased the range of results obtained and skills learnt. Update for 2017. The team now have access to an advanced RM85 Earth Resistance Meter and a dGPS adding to the range of surveys they can undertake. A further 16 lectures have been presented, mainly to local archaeological societies. The blog continues to be popular with a 106 postings. The project and the team goes from strength to strength despite having no funding for the last three years. The project was used as an example of the way community archaeology can significantly add to knowledge by Dr Philip Perkins at a day conference in Rome (8th November 2016) during his plenary address and as part of the round table discussions. Update for 2019. The most notable recognition of the group was being shortlisted for the CBA Marsh Awards for Community Archaeology. We were one of three projects shortlisted, although we did not win. We have been collaborating with St Albans District Council, the Friends of Friendless Churches and St Albans Abbey. we continue to expand our surveys of some sites as well as extending the surveys of others. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
| Sector | Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
| Description | Cross 'community heritage group' collaborations |
| Organisation | Berkhamsted & District Archaeological Society |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The project is led by my team, and the equipment and training provided by the team. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provide: man power; sites suitable for analysis; logistical help, storage room, lecture space, data and so forth. See main text. |
| Impact | Outcomes (survey results, training, lectures, etc.) detailed in other parts of the entry for this grant. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Cross 'community heritage group' collaborations |
| Organisation | Braughing Archaeology Group |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The project is led by my team, and the equipment and training provided by the team. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provide: man power; sites suitable for analysis; logistical help, storage room, lecture space, data and so forth. See main text. |
| Impact | Outcomes (survey results, training, lectures, etc.) detailed in other parts of the entry for this grant. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Cross 'community heritage group' collaborations |
| Organisation | Chess Valley Archaeological & Historical Society |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The project is led by my team, and the equipment and training provided by the team. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provide: man power; sites suitable for analysis; logistical help, storage room, lecture space, data and so forth. See main text. |
| Impact | Outcomes (survey results, training, lectures, etc.) detailed in other parts of the entry for this grant. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Cross 'community heritage group' collaborations |
| Organisation | East Herts Archaeological Society |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The project is led by my team, and the equipment and training provided by the team. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provide: man power; sites suitable for analysis; logistical help, storage room, lecture space, data and so forth. See main text. |
| Impact | Outcomes (survey results, training, lectures, etc.) detailed in other parts of the entry for this grant. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Cross 'community heritage group' collaborations |
| Organisation | Hertfordshire Historic Environment Record |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The project is led by my team, and the equipment and training provided by the team. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provide: man power; sites suitable for analysis; logistical help, storage room, lecture space, data and so forth. See main text. |
| Impact | Outcomes (survey results, training, lectures, etc.) detailed in other parts of the entry for this grant. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Cross 'community heritage group' collaborations |
| Organisation | Leighton Buzzard and District Archaeological and Local History Society |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The project is led by my team, and the equipment and training provided by the team. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provide: man power; sites suitable for analysis; logistical help, storage room, lecture space, data and so forth. See main text. |
| Impact | Outcomes (survey results, training, lectures, etc.) detailed in other parts of the entry for this grant. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Cross 'community heritage group' collaborations |
| Organisation | North Herts Archaeological Society |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The project is led by my team, and the equipment and training provided by the team. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provide: man power; sites suitable for analysis; logistical help, storage room, lecture space, data and so forth. See main text. |
| Impact | Outcomes (survey results, training, lectures, etc.) detailed in other parts of the entry for this grant. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Cross 'community heritage group' collaborations |
| Organisation | St Albans Museum Service |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The project is led by my team, and the equipment and training provided by the team. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provide: man power; sites suitable for analysis; logistical help, storage room, lecture space, data and so forth. See main text. |
| Impact | Outcomes (survey results, training, lectures, etc.) detailed in other parts of the entry for this grant. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Cross 'community heritage group' collaborations |
| Organisation | St Albans and Hertfordshire Archaeological and Architectural Society |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The project is led by my team, and the equipment and training provided by the team. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provide: man power; sites suitable for analysis; logistical help, storage room, lecture space, data and so forth. See main text. |
| Impact | Outcomes (survey results, training, lectures, etc.) detailed in other parts of the entry for this grant. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Cross 'community heritage group' collaborations |
| Organisation | Welwyn Archaeological Society |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The project is led by my team, and the equipment and training provided by the team. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provide: man power; sites suitable for analysis; logistical help, storage room, lecture space, data and so forth. See main text. |
| Impact | Outcomes (survey results, training, lectures, etc.) detailed in other parts of the entry for this grant. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Cross 'community heritage group' collaborations |
| Organisation | West Essex Archaeological Group |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The project is led by my team, and the equipment and training provided by the team. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provide: man power; sites suitable for analysis; logistical help, storage room, lecture space, data and so forth. See main text. |
| Impact | Outcomes (survey results, training, lectures, etc.) detailed in other parts of the entry for this grant. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | "New Surveys at Verulamium", article for International Society for Archaeological Prospection newsletter, Oct 2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Article on the work at Verulamium aimed at professional practitioners around the world. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | "Verulamium Revealed": talk to the Leighton Buzzard and District Archaeological and Historical Society 12-10-2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The talk concentrated on the work at Verulamium in which members of the Society had been active. The talk was followed by a session of questions and answers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | "Verulamium Revealed, Sensing the City" Article in magazine "Current Archaeology", Jan 2016 (pub Dec 2015) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Eight page article in a major international magazine reaching a wide popular and professional involvement. I have received several requests to speak, for further information, etc. as a result. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | A lecture to the Park Street & Frogmore Society 17th January 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This talk was entitled "Verulamium Revealed. Recent surveys by the Community Archaeology Geophysics Group". The large turn-out was pleasing as this was not an archaeological society, but a residents association. There was a long series of questions and answers at the end. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Article in Epistula XIV |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A short article on the survey results from Durobrivae was published in the newsletter of the Roman Society, Epistula XIV, Winter 2017, pp. 11--12. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.romansociety.org/archaeology/e-newsletter-epistula.html |
| Description | Article in ISAP News 52, November 2017. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An article, which was written jointly with one of the project volunteers, was published in the newsletter of the International Society for Archaeological Prospection, 51, November 2017, pp. 5--9. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Article in the Leighton Buzzard Observer 11/10/2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | An article was published in the Leighton Buzzard Observer on the work of the project, especially in Page's Park, on 11th October 2016, p. 23. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | BedPop Science Lab, 11th March 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Members of CAGG teamed-up with the Higgins Museum, Bedford and members of Albion Archaeology to run a GPR survey as part of the BedPop event, itself part of National Science Week. Many children were involved with helping the surveys and seeing how archaeologists find "hidden" sites. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Continued survey at Ashwell, Herts |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The survey at Ashwell started in 2013 was extended in 2014 and 2015. The results are spectacular. We have permission from another landowner to extend the survey into the neighbouring field. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014,2015 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/category/ashwell-end/ |
| Description | Continued updating of project blog which has now reached |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The blog documents the survey work undertaken by the group. It has (as of 4/3/2016) had 17,937 views from 5,660 different visitors. The blog has widened knowledge of the work of the project, created queries and encouraged new participants. It is a key aspect of the project. Update (12-03-2017). The blog now has 106 posts. It has had 26,922 views from 9,232 different visitors. The majority of the views come from the UK, with significant figures from the US and Germany. Update (8-3-2019). The blog now has 162 posts. It has had 45,032 views. The majority of the views come from the UK, the USA and Germany. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018 |
| URL | http://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com |
| Description | East Herts Archaeological Society Newsletter 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Article entitled "Geophysics and community archaeology" in the EHAS Newsletter, Sept. 2018, pp. 6--9. This is was dedicated to community archaeology issues. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Extension of survey at Durobrivae |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In 2016 the group undertook some surveys at the Roman "small town" of Durobrivae. The results were excellent. We, therefore, returned for further survey days in October and December 2017. We ran the mag, two earth resistance meters and the GPR. The results added valuable information to the plan of Durobrivae. We worked with local groups including FRAG. As ever, the next question misses the point. The most significant outcome was what we discovered about the town. Additionally, we were able to provide more experience for "our" team and training for the local groups. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/category/durobrivae/ |
| Description | GPR and Earth Resistance survey at Bovenay, 27/1/2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | At the request of the "Friends of Friendless Churches" members of CAGG teamed-up with members of the Buckinghamshire Active Archaeology Society to undertake multi-depth Earth Resistance Survey and GPR survey at Bovenay Church, near Windsor. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | GPR survey at Ashwell Church |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A day's worth of GPR survey was undertaken in the hopes of locating a plague pit. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | GPR survey at Batford Mill 2nd/3rd April 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Members of CAGG assisted Alex Thomas, a post graduate student from Bristol in the GPR survey of the site at Batford Mill, Hertfordshire. This site is likely to be where a new school is going to be built and so the results have a direct impact on the decisions regarding the school. Local residents were involved as well, and the press came an interviewed Alex. It is pleasing to see local volunteer archaeologists able (and willing) to assist and train archaeologists with formal qualifications! |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2016/10/19/batford-mill/ |
| Description | Invited to present lecture entitled "Under the Park: community archaeology and geophysics at the Roman town of Verulamium" at the Römisch-Germanische Kommission, Frankfurt, 8-7-2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The talk created much discussion, especially regarding the comparison of German archaeology and British (where German archaeology does not have the community aspect). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Lecture as part of the "Archaeology in Hertfordshire: Recent Research" conference entitled "Surveying Verulamium" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This paper was part of a very successful local conference held in Hitchin. As well as the paper, three A1 posters advertising the work of the project were displayed and our new "CAGG" postcards giving details of the project (including the AHRC logo) were distributed. Attendance exceeded expectations and was around 125 people. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://welwynarchaeologicalsociety.wordpress.com/archaeology-in-hertfordshire-recent-research/ |
| Description | Lecture as part of the Society of Antiquaries of London's Public Engagement lecture series 14th Feb 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The talk was entitled "Revealing Verulamium: Community Heritage, Geophysics and the Archaeology of a Roman Town". The lecture was free, but tickets had to be booked in advance and was sold out. The lecture was recorded (see link) and so the immediate audience was c. 120. Youtube reports a further 71 views (up to 12/3/2017). A series of questions and answers were given at the end. I did ask the AHRC about advertising this lecture but although the talk was about work funded by the Council, they refused to advertise the talk as it was, in itself, not funded by the Council. Seems like having a project that is still going and still promoting the Council two years after the end of funding would be viewed as a good thing and worth promoting! |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.sal.org.uk/events/2017/02/revealing-verulamium/ |
| Description | Lecture at Verulamium Museum 19/8/2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was asked to present one of Verulamium Museum's public access lectures. The paper was entitled "Verulamium Revealed." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Lecture to "Hearts to Herts: Cardiac Support Group", 6/11/2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A talk entitled "Mapping sites in Hertfordshire: the work of the Community Archaeology Geophysics Group" was presented. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Lecture to Chess Valley Archaeological and Historical Society 20/11/2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Lecture to an interested local archaeological society, members of which collaborate on the project. Sparked discussion and future surveys, |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Lecture to Codicote Local History Society 11-10-2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This talk was part of a joint presentation about the site surveyed at Kelshall in the north of Hertfordshire. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Lecture to Herts Assoc Local History conference on "Towns in Hertfordshire", 10/11/2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A lecture entitled "Verulamium: Hertfordshire's first Garden City?" was given to open the conference. The talk was based on the geophysical survey results obtained by the group. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Lecture to Herts Association Local History symposium, Codicote, 10-3-2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A talk entitled "CAGG, geophysics and studying sites in Hertfordshire (including Verulamium)" was presented to the symposium. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Lecture to Marlow Archaeological Society, 12/10/2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was invited to speak to the Marlow Archaeological Society about our work. The talk was entitled "Verulamium Revealed: recent geophysical surveys in the Roman town". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Lecture to Stansted Abbotts Local History Society 11th March 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A lecture was given presenting the work of the project to the local society. The talk included sites in East Hertfordshire as well as at Verulamium. Many questions and much discussion ensued |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Lecture to Welwyn Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A lecture was given about the work of the group entitled "Verulamium Revealed" as part of the events organised during Welwyn Festival. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Lecture to the Abbey Precincts and Fishpool Street Residents Associations, St Albans, 13-12-2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This talk was to the local resident's association near to Verulamium. It was, therefore, pleasing to see such a large turn-out for a non-archaeological society meeting. It was organised by one of the volunteers who had worked on the survey at Gorhambury in August 2016. A very long session of questions and answers followed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Lecture to the Berkhamsted and District Archaeological Society 27/10/2014 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Sparked much discussion and questions afterwards. Requests for further involvement. None known as yet. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Lecture to the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society Active Archaeology Group 15th November 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This lecture included the sites at which the Group had helped (Cholesbury, Hogshaw) as well as the more recent results of surveys at Verulamium. A long sessions of questions and answers followed. A number of members of this group are involved in the survey work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Lecture to the Colchester Archaeological Group 11/11/2013 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk met with some interest and discussions afterwards. None known of although many took the address of the blog and probably followed the work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Lecture to the East Herts Archaeological Society, 11-2-2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was the second time I have been invited to speak to the Society. On this occasion the lecture concentrated on the results from Verulamium. A session of questions and answers followed the talk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Lecture to the Fleetville Diaries local history group, St Albans, 12/3/2014 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk was met with many questions and discussions. None known of directly, but many took the blog address. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Lecture to the Francis Crick Society, Mill Hill School, 5-2-2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Lecture to a school science society. Will hopeful encourage pupils to study archaeology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Lecture to the Hertfordshire and District Metal Detecting Society 5/6/2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Following on from the success of the the lecture presented last year, a talk entitled "Mapping Verulamium" was presented to the Society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Lecture to the Herts and District Metal Detecting Society, 7th February 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A lecture entitled "Mapping sites in Hertfordshire: the work of the Community Archaeology Geophysics Group" was presented to the metal detecting group. The talk reviewed various surveys undertaken by the Geophysics Project include Six Acres, Kelshall and Verulamium. The need for detectorists to accurately record the location of their finds, preferably using GPS was emphasized. The talk finished with a series of questions and answers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Lecture to the Near Surface Geophysics Group 6th December 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A presentation was given entitled "Recent results from Verulamium" on the continuing work from the site at this conference. This biennial conference is one of the foremost meetings of archaeological geophysicists in the UK. A series of questions and answers were given at the end. A detailed illustrated abstract was published in the conference booklet. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Lecture to the North Hertfordshire Archaeological Society 23rd November 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This is the second talk I have been asked to present to the NHAS. The talk was entitled "Mapping Verulamium" and discussed recent results. The session was followed by a series of questions and answers, |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Lecture to the North Herts Archaeological Society 11/2/2014 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk sparked much discussion afterwards and new volunteers to help with surveys at Ashwell. New volunteers to help with surveys. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Lecture to the Rickmansworth Historical Society 12th January 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This talk, entitled "Sensing the City: recent work at Verulamium", was well attended on a cold and snowy night. A series of questions and answers were given at the end. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Lecture to the Roman Finds Group conference, Verulamium 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I was asked to give the opening lecture for the Roman Finds Group conference held at Verulamium Museum. The paper was entitled "Verulamium Revealed: recent geophysical surveys of the Roman town." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Lecture to the South Mimms Farmer's Club 14/2/2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Lecture to the South Mimms Farmer's Club. This invitation was especially important as these are the owners of the land on which we work. A long question and answer session was had at the end, and I have had some positive feedback from the attendees including one Farmer who changed his mind as the to value of the work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Lecture to the University of the Third Age, Croxley Green, 8/10/2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A lecture entitled "Mapping Verulamium" was presented to the Croxley Green Branch of the University of the Third Age. The audience mainly consisted of retirees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Lecture to the Wheathampstead History Society 22/10/2014 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Much lively debate and discussion, especially around getting access to survey the Wheathampstead oppidum. Hopefully, being able to survey the oppidum. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Lecture to the World Archaeology Section, Institute of Archaeology, UCL, 24-11-2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | This seminar was part of the "Off the Record" series of talks at the Institute. It was followed by a question and answer session. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Paper given to the Harlow Heritage Society, 11/10/2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was invited to speak to the Harlow Heritage Society on the work of the group. The talk was entitled "Mapping Verulamium". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Participation in a film for UCL (filmed at Darrowfield, not released until October). |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | UCL Public Engagement Unit used our survey work at Darrowfield as one example of their work in a video released onto youtube. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmVjtxxBqig&feature=youtu.be |
| Description | Poster presentation at the Near Earth Geophysics Group conference, 4/12/2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A poster entitled "Mapping Verulamium" was presented at the NSGG conference. The poster was voted the best of the conference by the participants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2018/12/01/news-update-december-2018/ |
| Description | Radio Interview Three Counties Radio |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was interviewed on Three Counties Radio about the results of the survey project at Verulamium. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Seminar to the Roman Archaeology Symposium, Newcastle University, 20/11/2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A lecture entitled "Community Archaeology, Geophysics and the Roman Settlements of Hertfordshire" was presented at the University of Newcastle as part of their Roman Archaeology seminar series. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Survey at Abbey Orchard and Verulamium Park, 10th--14th November 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Over five days members of CAGG helped train MSc students from the Institute in geophysical survey techniques including magnetometry, GPR, Earth Resistance and Earth Resistance tomography. In doing so, the team collected new data about Verulamium and it's surrounding area. As well as training the students, the main "outputs" of this activity were (a) the archaeological results and (b) training of group members and others neither of which is an option in the next question. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2016/11/28/four-days-in-the-park-part-1/ |
| Description | Survey at Abbey Orchard and Verulamium Park, 16th--17th February 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Members of CAGG trained undergraduate students in geophysical survey, including magnetometry, GPR and Earth Resistance survey. The main "outputs" of this activity were (a) the archaeological results and (b) training of group members and others neither of which is an option in the next question. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2017/02/19/february-fun/ |
| Description | Survey at Braughing, 1st-2nd September 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We managed to do two days of magnetometry survey with the Braughing Archaeological Group on the important scheduled monument for the small town. The site is an internationally important late Iron Age and Roman site. The aim was to see if the site would give good geophysical survey results. It did indeed. A small contingent of CAGG members teamed up with the local archaeological group. The main "outputs" of this activity were (a) the archaeological results and (b) training of group members and others neither of which is an option in the next question. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/another-day-another-town/ |
| Description | Survey at Chisbury, Wiltshire, April 2017. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | At the request of Professor Andrew Reynolds, the group moved beyond our normal region to undertake a week-long survey at the Iron Age hillfort of Chisbury in Wiltshire. The available area within the fort was completely surveyed using magnetometry and a test area surveyed using GPR. Volunteer members of the team came down for three days each to help with the survey and teach the local volunteers. As the next question misses the point, the most important outcomes were (a) gaining knowledge about the hillfort, (b) experience in survey for the team members and (c) experience in teaching the techniques for the usual volunteers to the local volunteers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/category/chisbury/ |
| Description | Survey at Durobrivae (Water Newton, Cambs) 29-31st October 2016. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | At the request of one of CAGG's members who is, as a mature student taking a qualification in archaeology, writing her dissertation on the site, members of CAGG teamed up with local groups from Cambs, to undertake three days of combined magnetometry, Earth Resistance, GPR, GPS and UAV SfM survey at the site. The results were fantastic with some of the best ER results I have seen. The results will significantly contribute to the management of this important site, as well as to our understanding of it. Some of the data is being used by Prof Lawrence Conyers (University of Denver) for his next book. The main "outputs" of this activity were (a) the archaeological results and (b) training of group members and others neither of which is an option in the next question. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2016/11/05/durobrivae/ |
| Description | Survey at Gorhambury, August 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was the second season of survey on the Gorhambury Estate at Verulamium. The magnetometry survey of the area was completed after 18 days work. The GPR survey was greatly extended and now covers 8.5ha at 0.5m intervals. This year, a RM85 resistance meter was available and an area of 2.5ha was surveyed. The team consisted of between 10 and 20 people on any one day, but over 30 were involved during the month. We were visited by both the landowners (Lord and Lady Verulam), local professionals and members of the public. The main "outputs" of this activity were (a) the archaeological results and (b) training of group members and others neither of which is an option in the next question. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2016/08/ |
| Description | Survey at Gorhambury, August 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 18 days of survey were undertaken at Gorhambury using Earth Resistance and Ground Penetrating Radar. Excellent results were obtained adding to our knowledge of the Roman city of Verulamium. The next question doesn't give the most important aspects of this research which were (a) we found out more about the Roman city and (b) people were trained in the techniques. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2017/08/ |
| Description | Survey at Gorhambury, August 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | A further four-week season of geophysical survey was undertaken at Verulamium - Gorhambury in August. Initially, only magnetometry and GPR surveys were undertaken due to the very dry conditions. We were able to extend this to include Earth Resistance survey. The magnetometry survey now includes the area outside the town walls including the area where the "Fosse" earthwork is located. We have now completed 90ha of magnetomtery survey at Verulamium, 19ha of GPR at Gorhambury and 6.5ha of Earth Resistance survey. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2018/08/ |
| Description | Survey at Little Hadham, Hertfordshire 20-1-2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The survey at Little Hadham was further extended with additional magnetometry and Earth Resistance surveys undertaken. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2019/01/21/a-chilly-day-at-little-hadham/ |
| Description | Survey at Little Hadham, November 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Following on from a survey which was undertaken in 2014, CAGG once more joined forces with the Braughing Archaeological Group to expand the survey at Little Hadham. Three days of survey were completed including magnetometry and Earth Resistance survey. The results were excellent. As well as expanding our knowledge of the Iron Age and Roman site, we found a windmill and a possible Bronze Age round barrow. The following question misses the main point: the most significant outcome of this activity was the information we gained about the site. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2017/11/29/tilting-at-windmills/ |
| Description | Survey at Long Shaw, Essex (Friday 30th Sept, Sat/Sun 1st/2nd October, 15th October 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Members of CAGG teamed-up with members of the West Essex Archaeological Group to undertake a survey on the Scheduled Ancient Monument at Long Shaw over four days Both magnetometry and Earth Resistance survey were undertaken. Ralph Potter of WEAG had previously undertaken GPR survey. The main "outputs" of this activity were (a) the archaeological results and (b) training of group members and others neither of which is an option in the next question. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2016/10/16/the-mystery-of-long-shaw/ |
| Description | Survey at Verulamium Park Feb 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Volunteers from the project spent two days at Verulamium Park training UCL post-graduate students in geophysical survey techniques. As well as the training, the surveys revealed important new information about the southern part of the town. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Survey at Willington |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Two days of survey were undertaken at the Scheduled Ancient Monument at Willington, near Bedford. The area was surveyed using magnetometry and GPR. A number of members of the local group joined the members of CAGG to undertake the survey and members of the public visiting the site were informed about the work. The main "outputs" of this activity were (a) the archaeological results and (b) training of group members and others neither of which is an option in the next question. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/a-weekend-at-willington/ |
| Description | Survey of Bushey Hall (22 and 23rd October 2015) as part of the "Eighth in the East" project. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Two days were spent undertaking a mag survey and a GPR survey. The results were then presented at the "Eighth in the East" open day on the third day 24/10/2015. There was much discussion at the open day as to the results and the potential for future work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.8theast.org/bushey-hq-weekend/ |
| Description | Survey of at Cholesbury, Hertfordshire 14/12/2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A day was spent surveying outside the boundary of Cholesbury Hillfort using magnetometry and GPR. Members of CVAHS undertook resistance survey. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2015/12/30/cholesbury-buckinghamshire/ |
| Description | Survey on the Gorhambury Estate, Verulamium, St Albans |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Eighteen days of survey work at Gorhambury completing a further 17.5ha of magnetometry and 4ha of Ground Penetrating Radar survey. The results are of international importance in the understanding of the Roman town. Further work is planned for August 2016 and 2017. The significant outcome (below) contains a restricted set of outcomes. What about gaining skills? Extending knowledge? |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Talk given to the St Albans and Hertfordshire Archaeological and Architectural Society, 5/12/2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was invited back to the Arc and Arc to give an update on the progress of the project and our discoveries. The talk was entitled "Verulamium Revealed." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Talk to West Essex Archaeological Group, 8/2/2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | At the end of the talk there was much discussion as to the results of the work, the nature of community archaeology, and so on. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Talk to the "Archaeology in Hertfordshire: Recent Research" conference, 14/07/2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A talk entitled "From Bronze Age barrows to medieval windmills: surveys at Little Hadham" was presented at the conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://welwynarchaeologicalsociety.wordpress.com/2018/07/09/the-conference-is-this-weekend/ |
| Description | Talk to the Enfield Archaeological Society 14th October 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The talk, entitled "Verulamium Revealed" concentrated on the survey from that Roman town. The session concluded with a long question and answer session. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | The 'Gordon Moodey Lecture' to the East Herts Archaeological Society 5/4/2014 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The talk was met with much discussion and interest. Possible new sites in East Herts to work on. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Week long survey at Darrowfield House, Verulamium, March 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The paddock at Darrowfield House was one of the last areas of the Roman City of Verulamium which had not been surveyed by the project. We spent a week surveying the site using magnetometry, GPR, Earth Resistance and Electrical Resistance Psuedosections along with topographic survey using a dGPS and a UAV. Excellent results were obtained. As always, the next question misses the point of this activity which was that (a) we discovered new and interesting things about the city and (b) members of the team learnt about the geophysical survey techniques including the more unusual ER sections. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com/2017/04/15/the-results-from-darrowfield/ |
| Description | Workshop for Young Archaeologists Club members |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The ages varied a great deal from about 8 to 16 but the audience asked many sensible questions, got to grip with finding buildings in the results, and helped work the machine in the park afterwards. It is discussed on the blog. I have been asked to contribute to the joint Young Archaeologists Club/Prehistoric Society 'conference' in January 2015. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://hertsgeosurvey.wordpress.com |