Technology use in practical conservation

Our specialist geophysics volunteers are skilled in the use of electrical resistivity equipment and we have been able to ascertain the survival of and exact geolocations of several monuments and historic assets that were sometimes otherwise only guessed at. These include the hengiform monument at the National Memorial Arboretum, a Bronze Age barrow mound later used as a hundred moot point near Lichfield, a probable Roman marching camp on the Walton on Trent/ Drakelow parish boundary, and a Roman road (the so-called Via Devana) at Branston Leas.

We have further plans to attempt to locate the exact size and footprint of a ruined church and its associated graveyard, the precise location of which is forgotten.

Using other geophysical methods, we plan to attempt to locate a ‘ghost village’ or deserted medieval village (DMV) near Stafford, and also map the precise geolocation of water meadows along the River Sow.

Trent Valley Past & Present page

Investigating prehistory at the National Memorial Arboretum

Read all about our investigation at the National Memorial Arboretum on behalf of Historic England and the NMA by following the link (opens in a new tab). The results were more surprising than we imagined they might be and lead to some partially speculative but interesting results – and, almost inevitably, raise new questions.

NMA hengiform monument

Training volunteers

We actively encourage people of all ages to get involved in our work.  Community engagement means that people will connect with their own history and cultural heritage, taking a sense of ownership and pride, and therefore actively seek to protect it.  We offer opportunities to train in all sorts of activities, including the use of geophysics for archaeology.