An assessment of the magnetic response of an iron‐smelting site*

The magnetic response derived from an iron‐smelting site was investigated by comparing magnetometry and magnetic susceptibility geophysical survey data and laboratory analyses of the magnetic characteristics of the furnace and slags. Magnetic analysis and microscopy (optical and SEM) of samples from the furnace lining and the slag deposits demonstrated the heterogeneity in the magnetic, morphological and mineral compositions of both materials. The comparison of the magnetic characteristics of the material with the geophysical survey data illustrated the importance of using both magnetometry and magnetic susceptibility survey techniques to maximize the information from an iron‐smelting site. The furnace was dated archaeomagnetically to the 14th century ad . The results demonstrate that the magnetic analysis of iron‐smelting sites is highly valuable, both to characterize sites and to improve the understanding of early iron‐working technology.     

DETECTING TRENDS IN THE PREDICTION OF THE BURIED PAST: A REVIEW OF GEOPHYSICAL TECHNIQUES IN ARCHAEOLOGY*

Geophysical survey techniques are a highly visible part of the scientific toolkit that is now used by archaeologists. In this paper, the history of the use of geophysical techniques in archaeology will be discussed, as will significant research themes associated with the most widely used prospecting devices. It is apparent that while the use of geophysical techniques is at an all‐time high, there are many key areas where prospecting is rapidly developing. Some of the advances relate to fundamental aspects of the techniques, while others dictate how we undertake survey in the future. There is a movement away from pre‐gridded survey areas towards real‐time GPS for navigation. This allows greater integration, or fusion, of disparate data sources using visualization techniques derived from associated disciplines. The analysis of landscapes has become a major component of the application of new technology and there are many challenges to be tackled, including how to analyse and interpret significant archaeology within large‐scale, data‐rich, multi‐technique investigations. The reflective nature of the review acknowledges the important role of Archaeometry in the development of archaeological geophysics.