Prospective Alternatives: Assessing Low Frequency Electromagnetic Survey
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2019-08-17

Low Frequency Electromagentic (LFEM) prospection may offer a commercially viable alternative to magnetic survey. Two case studies are presented examining the effectiveness of electromagnetic induction prospection against standard methods for the detection of archaeological remains.
Gradiometers dominate in commercial archaeological prospection despite the shortcomings of magnetic data for the identification and characterisation of archaeology. LFEM has a demonstrated capacity for conductivity survey and is a clear and viable alternative to standard earth resistance survey. It has been suggested in academic literature that susceptibility data generated using EM instruments may be a suitable proxy for standard gradiometer surveys. These data, especially when collected simultaneously, offer a suitable platform for developing better physical archaeological models. In order to exploit these benefits, the limitations of current instruments and methodologies need to be identified and addressed.

Hans Whitefield (Wessex Archaeology)