Resistivity Survey

A resistivity survey measures the resistance of the soil to electricity by passing a current through the soil. Walls and rubble will offer high resistance to the electric current, whilst conversely features filled with soil, such as pits and ditches, can offer lower resistance than normal. A resistivity survey can therefore read and map the presence of such features.

Archaeology South-East has staff skilled in undertaking such surveys and reading the results obtained. The technique is not without its limitations: it is very dependant on the weather, since very dry and wet conditions will adversely affect the results; and surveys can be slow and the results difficult to interpret. Different sites have different requirements, but ASE usually prefers to undertake resistivity surveys in conjunction with a more rapid magnetometry survey.