EHG530 - Geophysical survey - proposed housing, Milton of Leys

An archaeological geophysical gradiometer survey was undertaken by GeoQuest Associates in 2000 over an area of land at Milton of Leys, about 2km SE of Inverness on behalf of Headland Archaeology. It was proposed to develop the site for housing, and the aim of the survey was to locate and characterise any subsoil archaeological features which might then require further investigation via a scheme of trial trenching. The area of investigation comprised a 200x100m rectangle marked on the ground by pegs positioned by staff from Headland Archaeology Ltd. The geophysical survey was carried out on 11th and 12th August, 2000. No traces were visible of previous trial trenches excavated by GUARD in 1998-9 (see EHG227). Measurements of vertical geomagnetic field gradient were recorded using a Geoscan FM36 fluxgate gradiometer. A zig-zag traverse scheme was employed and data were logged in grid units of 20x20m at 1.0x0.5m intervals, thus providing 800 measurements per grid. Two distinctive types of geophysical terrain were detected. These provided evidence for stone fields on or near the surface (of glacial-periglacial origin), and intervening zones of thicker subsoil within which a number of archaeological features may be present. Of particular archaeological interest is the presence of several sets of linear, positive magnetic anomalies that provide evidence for ditched enclosures or wall footings. A small circular geophysical feature may indicate a hut circle, ring ditch or cairn. <1>