Newbury residents had an unusual opportunity to witness geophysical surveys in action last Wednesday as Wessex Archaeology took over Victoria Park.
Funded by English Heritage, and in partnership with Reading University and West Berkshire Council, these surveys formed one element of a significant research project aiming to map gravel and peat deposits throughout the Kennet Valley. These deposits are of particular interest as they are associated with Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic archaeological finds.
The geophysical surveys carried out by our staff in Victoria Park involved the use of a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT). These surveys will generate detailed pictures of the buried deposits and provide information which will complement desk-based studies taking place for the project.
Local residents were invited to observe these surveys and learn more about the processes involved. Both our learning officers and those from West Berkshire Council were on hand to explain the activities, and provided a display about life during the Stone Age which included flint tools, animal skins and even an aurochs horn. The event proved popular; it featured on BBC and local news and was visited by Newbury’s Mayor, Cllr Anthony Pick.
Keep an eye on our News Blog for further project developments.
