SDO9682 - Dorchester By-pass, Dorset: Report on Geophysical Survey, 1987

Magnetometer surveys were carried out at five points along the proposed route of the Southern Dorchester bypass, in conjunction with excavation by the Trust for Wessex Archaeology, to assess the extent of the threat to buried archaeological remains. In all areas response to the technique was poor and little information about the location of possible features was recovered. Soil samples were also taken for magnetic susceptibility anslysis but these results were unremarkable. Areas 1, 2, and 3 were surveyed between 17th-20th February 1987, with areas 4 & 5 being surveyed a month later. Magnetic response was poor despite cropmark and excavation evidence showing presence of archaeological remains. Possible reasons are 1. Use of Philpot DM02 and its lack of resolution. 2. Up to 2m thick coverage of soil in some places. MS survey response seemed fairly random showing no overall trends.