Riches of the Earth Guidance Sheet 5

Transcription

1 Riches of the Earth Guidance Sheet 5 Recording individual features Several forms of recording are used to give as much information as possible about the feature being recorded. Each of the elements is equally important as it is the sum of all the recorded evidence that will aid in the interpretation of the feature, and enable comparisons within the landscape. The record card The front of the record card (Illus. 1) is set out in such a way as to provide consistency in the recording of each of the features. In some cases the user is directed to circle the term that best fits the feature. This maintains consistency in terminology and allows for the data to be easily interrogated when it has been inputted into a digital format. In some instances, the given terms may not be relevant to the feature, and the user is directed to the notes box on the reverse of the form. Project Name Location Parish Alternative names Zone Feature no Feature name NGR GPS location SMR no Feature type Feature description keywords Interpretation of feature Rough feature date Feature size Condition Stability Vulnerability Damage Topography Vegetation Photograph taken Photographed by Drawn record Survey team Date surveyed Checked e.g. Riches of the Earth: Baildon Moor e.g. Baildon Moor e.g. Baildon e.g. Hope Hill The zone in which the feature being surveyed appears. The unique number of the feature being surveyed. Complete if the feature itself has a name. National Grid Reference complete if known or the feature can be pinpointed on a map. Hand-held GPS co-ordinate. The location of the reading should be marked on the sketch on the reverse of the card. The error margin should also be noted. Complete if the feature is recorded on the Sites and Monuments Record. Circle the type of feature being surveyed. Additional comments can be made on the reverse of the card. Circle the descriptive keywords that apply to the feature. Additional comments can be made on the reverse of the card. Interpretative comments about the feature (this can be expanded on the reverse of the card). Circle if known or can estimate. A rough measurement of the feature expressed in metres (length x width; diameter) Assessment of the current condition of the feature. Assessment of the present stability of the feature. Assessment of the vulnerability of the feature to external factors. Nature of any damage to the feature. Brief note of the topography in which the feature lies. Brief note of the vegetation on and around the feature. A check that a photograph has been taken. Name of the photographer for future reference. A check that the feature has been drawn. Names of the team that carried out the survey. The date that the feature was surveyed. Initialled and dated when checked by Gavin Edwards or nominated other.

2 Project Name: Location: Parish: Alternative names: Survey zone: Feature no: Feature name: NGR: GPS location: SMR no: Feature type: Pit Building Cairn Carved rock Feature description keywords: Please enter a full description on the reverse Angular Brick Circular Interpretation of feature: Ditch Earthwork Hut circle Linear Negative Oval Rough feature date: if known Prehistoric / Roman / Medieval / Post-medieval / Modern Condition: Stability: Good / Moderate / Poor Stable / Slow decay / Rapid decay Damage: Building work Burning Burrowing animals Cultivation Demolition Disturbance/intrusion Topography: Vegetation: Photograph taken: Yes / No None Live stock Metal detector activity Mining/quarrying Neglect People (erosion) Road construction Photographed by: Shaft Quarry Wall Positive Stone Sub-circular Feature size: (m) Please sketch the feature on the reverse Vulnerability: Low / Medium / High Storm damage Tree planting Vandalism Vegetation Vehicles Water action Drawn record: Yes / No Survey team: Date surveyed: Checked: initial/date Illus. 1: Example of the front of the survey recording form The reverse of the form has a box for notes about the feature. It is important that this box is used as it provides the opportunity for the user to expand on the limited description of the feature presented on the front of the card. Interpretations and observations can also be noted here. A second box is provided for a rough sketch of the feature. The sketch box has a north arrow the sketch should be aligned to the north. It is important the sketch includes rough measurements (including the unit of measurement) and where possible the relative position of the feature to a fixed point. Any points of interest on the feature should be annotated on the sketch, as well as the point where the GPS co-ordinate was taken. The drawn record An accurately measured drawing is required for each feature. The features are drawn at a scale of 1:100 (i.e. 1cm on the graph paper = 100cm on the ground). The process involved in drawing the feature means that the survey team are able to really investigate the feature in question ensuring that no lumps or bumps are missed. This information then feeds into the written record. The drawing is made in pencil (typically 5H or 6H) on a sheet of drafting film which is taped to a board. The board will have already been lined with graph paper and sealed. Before the drawing commences the following information should be written on the film: Page 2

3 North arrow Project name Zone Feature Number Scale Date Name Illus. 2: Initial drawing of the feature In addition to the information listed above, the baseline or grid points should be marked and co-ordinates noted. For example, the four corners of the grid are marked on Illus. 2 with their associated co-ordinates. It is also necessary to provide the location and co-ordinate values of any GPS derived data (see Illus. 2 here only one reading has been noted, but more may be noted). It is sometimes helpful to lightly mark the grid intersections (in Illus. 2 dots have been marked; the pale green lines represent the graph paper). Co-ordinates are accurately measured of a number of points on the feature (see Guidance Sheet 1 and Guidance Sheet 6) which are then translated to the drawing. In Illus. 2, the basic shape of the feature has been plotted. The next step is to add hachures to the plan (Illus. 3). Illus. 3: Hachure survey of a burnt mound on Fair Isle (Hunter 1985) Page 3

4 Hachures help to give a three-dimensional representation of the feature. They vary depending upon the slope that they represent (Illus. 4), and it is the careful selection and use of the different hachures that can give an accurate representation of the feature: Head represents the top of the slope; Head gets thinner as slopes down; Tail represents length of slope; Closeness of hachures represent steepness of slope (can also be represented by a heavier infill of head, or shape of head). Illus. 4: Types of hachures and what they represent (Adkins and Adkins 1989, 67, Fig. 4.6) The final elements to add are the points where the levels are to be taken. Levels should be taken across the feature, providing spot heights which can be used for contouring the feature, and to provide comparisons with similar features. The levels should be paired, and are represented on the plan by a benchmark symbol with the number of the level above it (Illus. 5). See Guidance Sheet 2 for more information on levelling. Illus. 5: Final plan with levels marked. The outline of the feature provides a framework for the hachures. The levels are placed in pairs (recording change on height) across the feature, contouring the feature Page 4

5 The photographic record The photographic record is an important element of the record of the surveyed feature. For the most part these will be record shots rather than publication standard photographs. However, it is still important to ensure that scales are used in the photograph, and ranging poles provide an appropriate photographic scale. The scales are used not only used to provide a sense of scale, but also to highlight elements. Wherever possible both horizontal and vertical scales should be used, and it is important to place a horizontal scale close to the bottom of the view-finder (screen) to provide a sense of scale. A note should be made of the orientation of the photograph. This can be noted on the record sheet, or a north arrow may be placed in the foreground of the photograph. Illus. 6 is a record shot of a Viking longhouse. The structure has been highlighted by the use of horizontal 1m ranging poles along some of the tops of the walls. A limited number of ranging poles were available and as a result no vertical scales were used. Illus. 6: Viking longhouse at Lund, Unst, Shetland References Adkins, L. and Adkins, R.A Archaeological Illustration. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Hunter, J.R Fair Isle Survey: Interim Bradford: Bradford University Schools of Archaeological Sciences and Physics. Page 5