Geophysical Survey at Burlands, Feniton, East Devon

The geophysical (gradiometer) survey was undertaken in accordance with current best practice and CIfA guidance; and follows the guidance outlined in Geophysical Survey in Archaeological Field Evaluation (English Heritage 2008b); Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Geophysical Survey (CIfA 2014b); EAC Guidelines for the use of geophysics in Archaeology: Questions to Ask and Points to Consider (Europae Archaeologiae Consilium/European Archaeological Council 2016). 'Archaeological geophysical survey uses non-intrusive and non-destructive techniques to determine the presence or absence of anomalies likely to be caused by archaeological features, structures or deposits, as far as reasonably possible, within a specified area or site on land, in the inter-tidal zone or underwater. Geophysical survey determines the presence of anomalies of archaeological potential through measurement of one or more physical properties of the subsurface.' (Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Geophysical Survey 2014). The results of the survey will as far as possible inform on the presence or absence, character, extent and in some cases, apparent relative phasing of buried archaeology to inform a strategy to mitigate any threat to the archaeological resource. Whilst none of the identified features can at this stage be dated, the strength and location of the responses corresponds with the positions of a former 20th century glasshouse (Group 1) and existing buildings (Group 2). The historic field-pattern of the site is characterised as modern settlement, developed during the 20th century, though geophysical survey and evaluation trenching in adjacent fields identified features associated with earlier field-systems and it is possible that associated features may survive under the areas of disturbed ground. The degree of preservation of the identified features appears to be moderate to poor. Whilst the majority of the anomaly responses are very strong, these are likely to reflect modern disturbance and metallic debris. However, it is possible that additional ephemeral features are masked by the background geology and modern disturbances. The results of the geophysical survey would suggest that the archaeological potential for the site is low, though the position of the site within an area of high archaeological potential (40m west of a formerly Scheduled prehistoric barrow and enclosure) means that the presence of ephemeral features of a possible prehistoric date cannot be ruled out at they may be masked by modern disturbance. Any development of the site is likely to encounter and destroy the buried archaeological resource (should it be present), and further mitigation through limited targeted evaluation trenching would validate and clarify the results of the geophysical survey.