Example data
For clients keen to discover more about the types of archaeological sites suitable for detection by geophysical survey (magnetometry & EMI), and how results from these surveys may be presented, example data from some of the most common Irish archaeological site types are provided below (not all site types are included). All images included represent geophysical fieldwork, data processing & interpretation completed by TARGET.
Geophysics & follow-up archaeological test excavation/trenching
Barrows
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Magnetometry (Co. Limerick, 2025): remains of 2, potentially 3, barrows occupying SE facing terrain, the barrow in the foreground encompassed by a rectangular ditch (-5/+6nT, elevation 88-90m (blue-red) above MSL). -
Magnetometry (2012): barrows, small circular enclosure and later field system forming part of a large archaeological complex. Linear/irregular banding across the data relates to underlying geology, the N-S linear W of centre representing a former boundary depicted on historic mapping (-2/+3nT). -
Magnetometry & targeted EMI/LFEM (South Dublin, 2018): investigation of a suspected cairn, possible barrows and enclosures.
Castles & ringworks
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Electrical resistivity (Co. Kilkenny, 2012): survey over a known ringwork (+/-2.5 standard deviation). -
Electrical resistivity (Co. Roscommon, 2008): survey at the interior of a masonry castle, with subsurface remains of a large rectangular structure/probable house & barn, occupying the south-western quadrant, and smaller structures evident NW-E (35-140 Ohms).
Designed landscapes
Ecclesiastical remains
Enclosures
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Magnetometry (Co. Westmeath, 2023): remnants of a previously unrecorded sub-rectangular enclosure with internal house/hut remains and discrete features, smaller enclosing element (N), and later field system (-1.5/+2nT). -
Magnetometry (Co. Cork, 2025): survey of a known enclosure (cropmark) also visible as an earthwork at the time of fieldwork (-1.5/+2nT, elevation 35-55m (blue-red) above MSL). -
Magnetometry (Co. Meath, 2024): previously unrecorded enclosures, field systems, some contemporary, and later ridge & furrow cultivation (-1.5/+2nT). -
Magnetometry (Co. Limerick, 2024): previously unrecorded adjoining enclosures, field system remains, 2 ring-ditches and later field divisions occupying elevated terrain (-1.5/+2nT). -
Magnetometry (Co. Westmeath, 2023): previously unrecorded adjoining circular/sub-circular enclosures, with rectangular structures at the interior, possible entrances to NE and SE and potential formal access/avenue to SE (-1.5/+2nT, elevation 66-73m (blue-red) above MSL). -
Geophysical survey (magnetometry) of known enclosure WM013-095 at Ballygillin displaying core of archaeological activity including ditched enclosure and extensive field system representing a medieval farmstead. Target was commissioned by Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit / ACSU Ltd. based in Drogheda (Co. Louth) prior to ACSU’s test trenching along the route of the proposed N52 Cloghan to Billinstown Road Improvement Scheme (County Westmeath). See https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7c54ad12dd4f4937bf8f6f0bf2ed9dcf
Fulachtai fiadh (burnt mounds)
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Magnetometry (Co. Waterford, 2021): multiple fulacht fiadh/potential fulchta fiadh (burnt mounds) occupying low-lying terrain with palaeochannels visible from N to SW & SE (-1.5/+2nT, elevation 80-82m (blue-red) above MSL). -
Magnetometry (Co. Tipperary, 2024): fulacht fiadh/burnt mound occupying low-lying terrain to S-SE, with former brick kilns W of survey centre (-1.5/+2nT, elevation 145-164m (blue-red) above MSL). -
Magnetometry (Co. Tipperary, 2024): probable fulacht fiadh/burnt mound (-1.5/+2nT). -
Magnetometry (Co. Waterford, 2021): multiple fulacht fiadh/potential fulchta fiadh (burnt mounds) occupying S facing waterlogged terrain (-1.5/+2nT, elevation 60-75m (blue-red) above MSL).
Hillforts
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Magnetometry & targeted resistivity (Co. Kilkenny, 2009): survey of a hillfort, cairn and potential house structures (-1.5/+2nT MAG & +/-2SD RES). -
Magnetometry (South Dublin, 2018): survey of a suspected cairn, possible barrows and enclosure remains, the final results highlighting remnants of a hillfort (-1.5/+2nT).
Limekilns
Medieval settlements
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Magnetometry (Co. Kilkenny, 2017): previously unrecorded medieval village bordering an ecclesiastical settlement to the N (-1.5/+2nT, elevation 82-93m (blue-red) above MSL). -
Magnetometry (Co. Kilkenny, 2022): previously unrecorded medieval village (-1.5/+2nT). -
Magnetometry (Co. Kildare, 2021): previously unknown enclosure annexe, several buildings and ring-ditch in environs of known medieval settlement (-1.5/+2nT). -
Magnetometry (Co. Offaly, 2024): previously unrecorded settlement enclosure and associated remains, probably medieval in origin, occupying ridges of high ground within a mostly low-lying landscape (-1.5/+2nT, elevation 66-68m (blue-red) above MSL).
Moated sites
Mottes
Neolithic structures
Ring-ditches
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Magnetometry (Co. Limerick, 2025): 8, potentially 9, previously unknown ring-ditches situated on a SE facing slope overlooking extensive bog, with early to late field system remains, and a possible trackway also indicated (-5/+6nT). -
Magnetometry (Co. Meath, 2022): multiple previously unknown ring-ditches and 2 larger enclosures situated on a ridge of elevated ground facing NE (-1.5/+2nT). -
Magnetometry (Co. Meath, 2024): 2, potentially 3, previously unknown ring-ditches and later field system situated on N-NE facing terrain (-1.5/+2nT, elevation 73-80m (blue-red) above MSL). -
Magnetometry (South Dublin, 2020): previously unknown ring-ditch and part of early field system situated on SE facing slope (-3/+4.5nT, elevation 78-81m (blue-red) above MSL).
Ringforts/Raths
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Magnetometry (Co. Kilkenny, 2022): known enclosure situated on a pronounced ridge, with previously unknown ring-ditch and burnt/fired deposit to SW and NE (-1.5/+2nT, elevation 60-65m (blue-white) above MSL). -
Magnetometry (Co. Meath, 2024): previously unrecorded ringfort/rath identified at the base of a steep W/NW facing slope, bordering a stream to the W, with extensive palaeochannel evident (-1.5/+2nT, elevation 65-72m (blue-red) above MSL). -
Magnetometry (Co. Cork, 2022): previously unrecorded enclosure, potential rath/ringfort, with field system remains and segment of possible small circular enclosure/ring-ditch to SE (-1.5/+2nT). -
Magnetometry (Co. Wexford, 2025): previously unrecorded enclosure, probable rath/ringfort, with E facing entranceway and outlying field system. 2 modern services traverse the site NE-NW (-3/+5nT, elevation 9-15m (blue-red) above MSL). -
Magnetometry (Co. Kilkenny, 2022): large, previously unrecorded ringfort-rath situated at the top of a steep NE facing slope, with very poor surface conditions to NE. Suspected burnt/fired debris indicated to NE, with outlying field systems and cultivation also present (-1.5/+2nT). -
Magnetometry (Co. Kildare 2015): Part of a medieval landscape including a multi-vallate ringfort, smaller internal enclosure & field system. The geophysical survey of the site was completed promptly following initial discovery of cropmarks from aerial photography.
