SNN112033 - Geophysical Survey Report of Overstone Leys Easement

Magnitude Surveys was commissioned to assess the subsurface archaeological potential of a c. 9.8 ha of land along a c.4Km long and c.25m wide corridor, for the Overstone Leys Easement. A fluxgate gradiometer survey was successfully completed across the survey area. The geophysical survey has primarily detected features of archaeological and historic agricultural origin. Archaeological activity has been identified in the form of a settlement possibly Late Prehistoric in date and consisting of a group of enclosures developing along a trackway or boundary ditches. A further, possibly related group of enclosures has been identified, but these may also date to the medieval period. Historic agricultural activity is evident in the results as a former mapped field boundary and ridge and furrow trends. Modern ploughing trends and drains have been identified as well. Modern burning activity and disturbance from four metal poles are evident in the results. Magnetic disturbance originating from modern features within the survey area and in its immediate surroundings have produced haloes which have limited the interpretation and context of any underlying anomalies.