Acer Archaeology undertake a full range of topographic and earthwork surveys. These surveys involve the detailed mapping of man-made and natural surface features. Topographic surveys are often required to accurately map earthworks (the ‘humps and bumps in a field’) and can be undertaken as part of the site evaluation process.
Surveys are usually undertaken with a Global Positioning System (GPS) which allows detailed geo-referenced data to be gathered and transferred easily and accurately to base maps for a variety of archaeological and other uses. At Acer Archaeology, we use survey grade GPS equipment which can provide centimetre level accuracy (unlike the inbuilt GPS in many devices such as mobile phones which typically offer accuracy of about 5 metres).
Depending on the nature of the site being surveyed, we can also offer Total Station survey, laser scanning or UAV (drone) aerial imagery and photogrammetry.
Archaeological GPS applications include:
- trench stake out – targeting geophysical anomalies or features plotted from aerial photographs or previous surveys;
- artefact plotting – accurate 3D plots of field-walking finds or artefacts retrieved during excavation;
- specialist site identification – additional use of metal detectors to locate areas of specific period interest e.g. battle skirmishes or aircraft crash sites;
- topographic surveys – allowing detailed analysis of a terrain to provide contour and earthwork surveys;
- grid and transect set out – site or field-walking grids and transects accurately laid out on pre-determined points;
- pre and post excavation planning – accurate planning in real time allowing site plans to be instantly viewed onscreen, and
- establishing survey control points – providing permanent references for future surveys eliminating the need to reference successive surveys.