Cress Cropmarks
YAC Attack 140! Archaeology Makes its Mark
The first thing that we may think when we hear the word, ‘archaeology’ is of digging to seeing what is underneath the surface.
However, the remains of past human activity can be seen in a number of ways without even taking out a trowel.
The trained eye alone can spot clues that indicate archaeological features which may be hidden beneath the surface. Cropmarks occur when their are ditches or features (such as a stone wall) buried underneath an area used for growing crops.
These clues can indicate what and where archaeological features have remained above ground as well as what might be hiding below the surface. This evidence comes in a number of forms and whist they are often visible from ground level, seeing a site from above gives the archaeologist a huge advantage. This birds-eye view can be obtained in different ways.
The archaeologist can travel up in a small aircraft and view sites, recording features using a hand held camera or one fixed to the aircraft. Cameras can also be sent above ground using specially adapted kites or balloons. When they have seen the site from above the expert can look out for…
- Earthworks and shadow marks
- ‘Earthworks’ is the expression used to describe any archaeological feature that can be seen in relief. This means anything that stands out or is lowered from the surface, for example ditches and banks, walls etc.
- Soilmarks
- Soilmarks reveal ditches and other buried features like walls and foundations by the changes in the colour of the subsoil (this is the soil below the top layer or ‘topsoil’). Obviously as the subsoil is below ground it is not until the field is disturbed, usually by ploughing, that these signs begin to appear.
- Cropmarks
- One of the most fascinating ways of detecting archaeological features is through recognising “cropmarks”. Cropmarks occur when there are ditches or features such as a stone wall, buried underneath an area used for growing crops or areas of thick grass.
