Large-scale systematic fluxgate gradiometry at the roman city of Wroxeter

• Published in: Archaeological prospection Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 81 - 99
• Main Authors: Gaffney, C. F, Gater, J. A, Linford, P, Gaffney, V. L, White, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-06-2000
• Subjects: fluxgate gradiometer; interpretation; magnetic; Wroxeter; zonation
• ISSN: 1075-2196; 1099-0763
• DOI: 10.1002/1099-0763(200006)7:2<81::AID-ARP145>3.0.CO;2-6

Over a number of field sessions, the Roman city of Wroxeter was surveyed using fluxgate gradiometers. In the paper the authors describe the strategy for assessing a large site, approximately 0.7 km2 in size, as well as presenting the graphical results. Prior to the survey it was believed that Wroxeter was a ‘garden city’ with areas of open space inside the defensive ramparts. The results of the magnetic survey, however, suggested that almost the whole of the area contains significant archaeological anomalies. The interpretation of the data has provided a wealth of detail concerning the layout and zonation of the city. Although many of the most prestigious buildings were already known, it is the evidence for the lower status occupants of the city that is of particular note. For the first time geophysical survey has defined the settlement areas as well as suggesting industrial zones where the lower status population of Roman Wroxeter are believed to have worked. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.