This report presents the results of a geophysical survey that was carried out by South West Archaeology Ltd. (SWARCH) prior to the proposed expansion of extractive activities on land at Hensbarrow, Treverbyn, St Austell, Cornwall. The desk-based assessment followed the guidance that is outlined in: Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (CIfA 2020); and Understanding Place: Historic Area Assessments in a Planning and Development Context (Historic England 2017). The geophysical survey followed the guidance that is outlined in: Geophysical Survey in Archaeological Field Evaluation (English Heritage 2008); Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Geophysical Survey (CIfA 2014); and EAC Guidelines for the Use of Geophysics in Archaeology: Questions to Ask and Points to Consider (Europae Archaeologiae Consilium/European Archaeological Council 2016). The geophysical survey identified 10 groups of anomalies that comprised 15 distinct geophysical anomalies across four separate areas. These included: four probable modern services (Group 1; Group 4; Group 6; Group 7); one possible modern service (Group 8); six possible pits or post holes (Group 3); one probable trackway (Group 5); one probable linear feature of uncertain origin (Group 2); one possible linear feature of uncertain origin (Group 9); and one probable curvilinear feature of uncertain origin (Group 10). The survey data displayed evidence for anomalies that are associated with agricultural activity, metallic debris, and modern ground disturbance. A number of possible ferrous anomalies were also discernible within the survey data, though no such features were apparent at surface level. The results of the geophysical survey suggest that the archaeological potential of the site is low. The development of the site is likely to have a permanent and irreversible impact on any buried archaeological resource that is present on the site, though the results of the geophysical survey suggest that this archaeological resource is of low value and limited in extent.
A Nock (Wed,) studied this question.