Case Studies:Case study 18

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[edit] Archaeological prospection at Oakham, Leicestershire – use of fractional conversion in the interpretation of field magnetic susceptibility survey data

Dr. John Crowther, Director of Archaeological Services at the University of Wales, Lampeter

Field magnetic susceptibility surveys reveal the degree of enhancement that may have occurred through heating/burning, but are also affected by the background concentrations of iron in the soil. In interpreting human activity, it is important to establish the likely magnitude of natural variability using laboratory determinations of low frequency mass-specific magnetic susceptibility and the maximum potential susceptibility. A very strong positive linear relationship between these factors indicates that natural background variability in iron concentration is a minor factor, and higher values are likely to associated with burning. However, where the relationship is rather weaker, higher values may be attributable to higher iron concentrations, as at Oakham, where a band of more iron-rich strata crosses the central part of the survey area.

Keywords: Magnetic susceptibility, Oakham, iron concentrations

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Archaeological prospection at Oakham