GPR and archaeology in central London

The results of a major ground penetrating radar survey in central London are presented and discussed in the light of the data produced by subsequent excavation. The GPR profiles failed to correlate with the excavated data. The possible reasons for this failure are discussed. It is suggested that the establishment of a data base of available previous, and all future, GPR archaeological survey data may allow the ultimate identification of GPR ‘fingerprints’ for a variety of archaeological deposits and features. Acceptable codes of practice and a standard methodology are also suggested as being necessary to allow the technique to establish itself in mainstream British archaeology.