Search

A magnetometer survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd over 1.6ha at Fenny Compton in Warwickshire. The results indicate the presence of a number of cut, linear features and pits that appear to have been partially truncated by the furrows of the extant ridge and furrow earthworks. This partial truncation is often characteristic of features that pre-date the ridge and furrow and may infer that they have archaeological potential. Other positive anomalies are either weak and indistinct or lack a coherent morphology preventing confident interpretation.

A geophysical survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd along the route of a new water pipeline between Lark Hill reservoir and Childrey Warren Water Treatment Works to the south of Wantage in Oxfordshire. The results of the survey indicate widespread magnetic contamination introduced during soil conditioning/manuring within the majority of the survey areas, which could have obscured weaker features if present. However, several areas of archaeological potential have been located which include a positive linear anomaly associated with a former boundary within Area 6, negative linear anomalies and magnetic debris associated with possible 19th century or earlier structural remains in Area 9 and a number of ditches, enclosures and pits within Area 10. Further enclosures, linear ditches, pits and a possible ring ditch have also been located at the western end of the survey corridor within Area 13. LiDAR data analysis reveals a landscape containing a series of long, linear boundary banks forming a widespread field system, with several of these banks existing within many of the survey areas. They do not, however, have a corresponding magnetic response.

Detailed magnetometry was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd over 3.5ha at East Hagbourne, Oxfordshire. The survey has located a positive rectilinear anomaly that appears to relate to the western part of a rectilinear enclosure. It contains a number of positive linear and discrete responses that indicate the presence of further cut features within the interior. To the west of the enclosure there are several positive linear, rectilinear, curvilinear and discrete responses, but they are very weak and cannot be confidently interpreted. Very weak linear anomalies associated with ridge and furrow cultivation were also located.

Ash from dome-forming volcanoes poses a unique hazard to millions of people worldwide due to an abundance of respirable cristobalite, a crystalline silica polymorph. Crystalline silica is an established respiratory hazard in other mixed dusts, but its toxicity strongly depends on sample provenance. Previous studies suggest that cristobalite-bearing volcanic ash is not as bio-reactive as may be expected for a dust containing crystalline silica. We systematically address the hazard posed by volcanic cristobalite by analysing a range of dome-related ash samples, and interpret the crystalline silica hazard according to the mineralogical nature of volcanic cristobalite. Samples are sourced from five well-characterized dome-forming volcanoes that span a range of magmatic compositions, specifically selecting samples rich in cristobalite (up to 16 wt%). Isolated respirable fractions are used to investigate the in vitro response of THP-1 macrophages and A549 type II epithelial cells in cytotoxicity, cellular stress, and pro-inflammatory assays associated with crystalline silica toxicity. Dome-related ash is minimally reactive in vitro for a range of source compositions and cristobalite contents. Cristobalite-based toxicity is not evident in the assays employed, supporting the notion that crystalline silica provenance influences reactivity. Macrophages experienced minimal ash-induced cytotoxicity and intracellular reduction of glutathione; however, production of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 were sample-dependent. Lung epithelial cells experienced moderate apoptosis, sample-dependent reduction of glutathione, and minimal cytokine production. We suggest that protracted interaction between particles and epithelial cells may never arise due to effective clearance by macrophages. However, volcanic ash has the propensity to incite a low, but significant, and sample-dependent response; the effect of this response in vivo is unknown and prolonged exposure may yet pose a hazard.

A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd, ahead of a new construction skills centre at the Bath College Somer Valley Campus in Radstock, Bath & North East Somerset. The survey was carried out using a hand-pushed 5 sensor array. The results demonstrate the presence of widespread magnetic debris, indicative of ground make up, and this may have obscured weaker anomalies. A number of positive linear responses have been located within a car park but these cannot be confidently characterised as cut features. A former field boundary is associated with widespread magnetic debris and to the west of this are a number of linear, curvilinear and discrete positive responses. Again, due to the presence of strongly magnetic debris the origin of the anomalies is uncertain. In the western part of the site are a number of positive and negative linear and rectilinear anomalies, and it is possible that these are associated with the use of this part of the site for allotments during the early 20th century.

fA detailed magnetometer survey was undertaken by Archaeological Surveys Ltd at the request of Border Archaeology on the site of a proposed anerobic digestion biogass plant at Wormslade Farm near Clipston in Northamptonshire. The results of the survey show that the site contains a number of weakly positive linear anomalies, some with curvilinear or rectilinear elements. However, they are widespread, weak, short, fragmented and incoherent and their origin cannot be determined. A number of pit-like responses can also be seen, with a concentration in the south eastern corner of the site, but, as with the linear anomalies, it is not clear if they relate to naturally or anthropogenically formed features. Evidence for former ridge and furrow, a field boundary, possible land drains and an infilled pond has also been located.

A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd at Thornbury Castle in South Gloucestershire. The survey was requested within four areas, the West and East Court garden (Areas 1 and 2), the kitchen court and car park (Area 3) and the field to the north of the castle (Area 4). The East Court garden (Area 2) is part of the scheduled area which contains the buried remains of the demolished east wing of the 16th century castle and privy gardens. Area 3 contained numerous ferrous objects with associated high levels of magnetic disturbance precluding recorded survey. The results within Area 4, to the north of the castle, demonstrate the presence of a number of positive linear, rectilinear and discrete anomalies that appear to relate to ditch-like and pit-like features. Areas 1 and 2 in the West and East Court gardens contain widespread and very strongly magnetic disturbance from numerous buried services. A small number of very short positive and negative linear anomalies have been located within Areas 1 and 2, with some negative responses in the scheduled area. However the very limited size of these anomalies, coupled with the presence of such widespread magnetic disturbance and debris, means that while they may be associated with buried archaeological remains, they are incoherent and cannot be confidently interpreted.

Detailed magnetometry, carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd at Moreton Morrell College, revealed a continuation of a substantial Iron Age ditch in the north western part of the site, located during a previous geophysical survey. A number of parallel and orthogonal linear features were also located and these appear to form a series of rectilinear enclosures. A negative rectilinear anomaly may be a response to former structural remains, but the presence of services and ridge and furrow prevent confident interpretation. Within the remaining site the magnetic responses were generally associated with ridge and furrow, land drains, field boundaries removed in the 20th century and also a number of services. The archaeological features are contained within the north western part of the site.

Toxicological studies have provided evidence of the toxicity of ultrafine particles (UFP), but epidemiological evidence for health effects of ultrafines is limited. No quantitative summary currently exists of concentration-response functions for ultrafine particles that can be used in health impact assessment. The goal was to specify concentration-response functions for ultrafine particles in urban air including their uncertainty through an expert panel elicitation. Eleven European experts from the disciplines of epidemiology, toxicology, and clinical medicine selected using a systematic peer-nomination procedure participated. Using individual ratings supplemented with group discussion, probability distributions of effect estimates were obtained for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular and respiratory hospital admissions. Experts judged the small database of epidemiological studies supplemented with experimental studies sufficient to quantify effects of UFP on all-cause mortality and to a lesser extent hospital admissions. Substantial differences in the estimated UFP health effect and its uncertainty were found between experts. The lack of studies on long-term exposure to UFP was rated as the most important source of uncertainty. Effects on hospital admissions were considered more uncertain. This expert elicitation provides the first quantitative evaluation of estimates of concentration response functions between urban air ultrafine particles and all-cause mortality and hospital admissions.

A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd over 10ha at Baldwin's Gate Farm, Whitmore, Staffordshire. The survey was requested by Richborough Estates Ltd and carried out in accordance with a brief issued by the county Principal Archaeologist. The western part of the site, Area 1, contains an elongated mound, broader at its northern end and rising to 3m in height. The results show positive responses at the summit of this mound and extending along the north eastern side of the mound. Another broad, weak linear response extends for 145m from the mound towards the south eastern corner of the field. Other positive and negative responses can also be seen in the vicinity of the mound, including two series of pit-like anomalies, one close to the crest of the mound and one further to the north. Within the eastern part of the site, Area 2 contains what appears to be three sides of a rectilinear feature, possibly surrounding natural responses. The rectilinear anomaly has eastern and western sides that are parallel with existing and former land boundaries, and association is possible. Two formerly mapped field boundaries have also been located. Widespread magnetic debris, presumably introduced through manuring, and a number of land drains have also been located.

A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd on land at Dunkley's Farm and Cherry Tree Farm near Dunchurch in Warwickshire. A total of ten survey areas amounting to approximately 23ha were covered. The results of the survey show a large number of discrete positive responses that relate to pit-like features; however, they are widespread and numerous, lacking any coherent morphology, which may indicate that they relate to natural features. Several of the survey areas contain weakly positive linear anomalies some of which are not oriented parallel with any existing or formerly mapped land boundaries; however, the majority also do not appear to extend beyond the confines of the existing boundaries. The linear anomalies are either weak, short or fragmented and again lack a coherent morphology which prevents confident interpretation.

A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd, on behalf of Gallagher Estates, within a single arable field on the north eastern edge of Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. The survey was undertaken as part of an archaeological assessment of the site which has been outlined for a proposed residential development. The results indicate the presence of former ridge and furrow and a small number of positive responses of uncertain origin. A very strongly enhanced buried water main also crosses the survey area.

A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys Ltd, at the request of Archaeology Warwickshire, on an area of land adjacent to Shipston High School, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire. The site has been outlined for a potential solar farm and the survey forms part of an archaeological assessment. The site was very overgrown with numerous saplings and areas of brambles that prevented collection of a complete data set. The results demonstrate the presence of a number of very weakly positive responses of uncertain origin and at least two land drains or services. Positive anomalies may relate to former cut features, although their archaeological potential cannot be determined.

Detailed magnetometry was carried out using a cart-based system of 5 sensors spaced 0.5m apart over an area of 0.5ha on the northern part of a 2ha field on the eastern edge of Faulkland. The results have revealed a number of positive linear and discrete anomalies within the site. Several of the anomalies are linear, rectilinear and possibly curvilinear in form and many appear to have been truncated or disturbed by agricultural activity, possibly ridge and furrow. Discrete and amorphous responses appear to relate to pit-like features, and although an anthropogenic origin is possible, a natural or agricultural origin should also be considered.

Archaeological Surveys Ltd carried out a detailed magnetometer survey of land to the east of Highworth Road, Shrivenham, on behalf of Welbeck Strategic Land II LLP. The survey formed part of a second phase of works within the site, and a previous survey carried out by Archaeological Surveys in 2013, located a number of ring ditches and enclosures that relate to Iron Age and possible Roman occupation immediately to the south. The results of the current survey indicate a continuation of the archaeological features with further ring ditches, linear ditches, enclosures, pits and a possible trackway. The survey also located former ridge and furrow, much of which has truncated the earlier archaeological features. Some evidence for quarry/clay pits has also been found, and widespread zones of naturally formed anomalies.

A detailed magnetometer survey was undertaken by Archaeological Surveys Ltd, at the request of Archaeology Warwickshire, over an area of land at Tredington in Warwickshire using a hand-pushed, cart-based system of 5 sensors spaced 0.5m apart. The survey revealed a number of anomalies that appear to relate to naturally formed features adjacent to Back Brook and the River Stour, as well as a number of discrete pit-like responses which may also relate to naturally formed features. Evidence for former ridge and furrow can also be seen in the western part of the survey area orientated perpendicular to the Fosse Way. A broad linear and a sinuous positive response located above the floodplain in the south western part of the site may also relate to natural features.

A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out by Archaeological Surveys over three fields near Ashchurch in north Gloucestershire using a hand-pushed, cart-based system of 5 sensors spaced 0.5m apart. The results have revealed a complex series of linear and rectilinear ditches and enclosures, ring ditches and pits in the north western part of the site showing several phases of development, that relate to a settlement likely to date from the Iron Age and Roman periods. The archaeological features do not appear to extend eastwards and southwards, but these parts of the site do contain a small number of short and weakly positive linear anomalies of uncertain origin. There is evidence for former ridge and furrow, which has truncated many of the archaeological features. Along the southern edge of the site are several anomalies that relate to former channels of the Tirle Brook.