How dry weather helps archaeologists discover hundreds of ancient sites

Although anyone that has visited the UK this summer may disagree, hot and dry conditions prevailed in May and June. These conditions have allowed aerial researchers to identify hundreds of ancient sites visible through the appearance of crop marks. This summer has been one of the busiest years for finds since the long hot summer of 1976.

Crop marks are produced when the grains growing over the buried features grow at a different rate to those growing next to them. This is due to the differences in the depth of soil and the availability of nutrients.

The fine weather also allows plenty of flying over the sites which allow them to be photographed in great detail.  The Roman fort in Newton Kyme, North Yorkshire (shown below) has been dated as nearly 2000 years old and was revealed to be much bigger than previously thought. So although UK gardeners, my father included, spent much of the early summer moaning that the sun had scorched his grass, it seems that the dry summers are good for archaeologists.

                                                                                                                                The wall inhibits growth, whilst the ditch

                                                                                                                                 filled with extra soil and therefore

                                                                                                                                 nutrients enhanes growth - positive and

                                                                                                                                 negative cropmarks

Compiled by  Goldie Dawn

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