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Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group (HAARG) has been given permission by Hastings Borough Council to undertake non-intrusive archaeological investigations within the Hastings Country Park.  The project started earlier this year,has identified settlement areas on a number of fields, possibly the footprints ofproperties (ie. Roundhouses) within the Borough of Hastings.

The work is being conducted using a Bartington Dual Sensor Grad 601-2Magnetometer.  This piece of equipment contains two fluxgate gradiometers suspended on a single frame.  The readings taken relate to the localised magneticfield.  Every kind of material has unique magnetic properties, even those that we do not think of as being "magnetic". Different materials below the ground can cause local disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field that are detectable. The chief limitation of magnetometer survey is that subtle features of interest may be obscured by highly magnetic geologic or modern materials.  Magnetometers react very strongly to iron and steel, brick, burned soil, plus many types of rock, and archaeological features composed of these materials are very detectable. Where these highly magnetic materials do not occur, it is often possible to detect very subtle anomalies caused by disturbed soils or decayed organic materials.

The data is downloaded off site and processed via a specialist computer program.  Plans are in hand to produce provisional results on facebook and other examples of survey work undertaken by the group can be found on our websitewww.haarg.org.uk

Our society HAARG was formed in 1972 to enable those with an interest in local archaeology and history to take an active part in discovering and recording our district’s past.  New members, with or without experience are always welcome and further details can be obtained from Kevin or Lynn Cornwell on 01424 812092 or via email to haarg@hotmail.co.uk.