Archaeological surveys will start in June 2017 and are expected to finish at the end of the year. They will take place in areas of Chertsey Abbey Meads, Kingsmead Quarry, Thorpe Hay Meadow, Desborough, Datchet, and Shepperton.
We use different survey techniques in different areas to give us a wide range of data. This gives us a better understanding of what is likely to be in the ground. We use this information to plan the construction of the River Thames scheme.
The results of these surveys will help us identify targeted locations for trial trenches, in late 2017, to evaluate the archaeology.
Geophysical Surveys
Different materials below the ground can cause local disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field that are detectable with sensitive equipment. Archaeologists use hand held devices or small hand pulled carts to establish the presence of buried archaeological remains and the potential of the study area.
Earthworks Surveys
Help identify the presence of archaeologically significant earthworks or landscape features. Archaeologists look at the areas and compare what they see with historical maps and aerial photographs.
Borehole Surveys
Archaeologists dig boreholes and hand auger pits to record the composition of the ground. This information enables archaeologists to draw conclusions about how and when the area may have been used. The boreholes are excavated using specialist construction equipment.
Electrical Resistivity
Tomography Surveys Archaeologists insert magnetic probes into the ground to gather more data about the composition of the ground to support the information recorded by the borehole surveys.
Archaeologists use high performance metal detectors to detect different types of metals in the ground. This information is used to identify areas that could contain archaeological remains.
Field Walking Surveys
Archaeologists walk along marked out areas looking at the land for features to identify areas that could contain archaeological remains.
All works are carried out under the supervision of either our consultant engineers or a member of Environment Agency staff, in accordance with an agreed method statement.
If you would like more information about the River Thames Scheme please visit our website
Environment Agency
June 2017
