Site Event/Activity record ESF27159 - Topographical and Geophysical Survey, Kitchen Piece and Steeple Tye

Between the 28th January and the 5th February 2012, a geophysical and topographical survey covering approximately 6.9 hectares was undertaken in the area of Kitchen Piece (RLM014) henceforth Area D and Steeple Tye (EKE019) henceforth Area E to the southeast and south respectively of Naunton Hall, Rendlesham. This formed the third season of work at the site, following on from earlier surveys conducted in 2008 and 2009. The conditions during the survey were very variable ranging from overcast and cool with light showers, to dry and bright, but also very windy on occasion and on the final day of survey there was a c. 10cm snow covering. The harvested crop in both Areas D and E was reduced to short stubble which presented no difficulties for the conduction of the survey with the exception of a small area within Area E where the crop was at low level. In Area D there was a gradual increase in elevation towards the southern field boundary, whereas in Area E the ground sloped upwards towards the north and west. The survey area in Area E was limited by the presence of a strip of maize bird cover in the west, and in the north west by significant vegetation cover comprising thick undergrowth and brambles which prohibited survey. The magnetometer survey was undertaken using a Bartington Grad 601-2 dual sensor vertical component fluxgate gradiometer. This equipment allowed the survey to be conducted rapidly in the open area. Readings were taken at 0.25m intervals along traverses of 1m spacing. The geophysical survey grids of 30m by 30m following the same north-south alignment utilised previously were set out using a Leica Smart Rover GPS which was also used to tie the survey in to known features in the landscape, in this instance field boundaries. The topographical survey at Rendlesham was initiated with the purpose of forming contour models which might assist in the interpretation of the geophysical survey results. The Leica Smart Rover GPS system was utilised to record elevation data enabling a close interval contour model of the site to be produced. The production of the contour survey involved recording a series of spot heights along c. 5m traverses across the terrain with an increased number of readings taken in areas showing visible variations in elevation (S1).