Introduction

Innovation and flexibility are the cornerstones of everything we do here at Morgan. We pride ourselves on our ability to adapt and create solutions that not only meet but exceed the needs of our users. One such example is the cart system we designed for high-sensitivity caesium vapour magnetometer sensors. This cart has been instrumental in making groundbreaking archaeological discoveries, including revealing a previously unknown Roman settlement near the iconic Silbury Hill in Wiltshire. As we open our doors to students from a local school to help celebrate National Manufacturing Day, we’d like to take you on a journey through this fascinating project.

The Challenge

The task was to create a cart that could operate very high-sensitivity caesium vapour magnetometer sensors. These sensors detect minute changes in the magnetic properties of soil, which can reveal buried archaeological remains. The cart had to be constructed from non-magnetic materials like wood and plastic to ensure the accuracy of the sensors. Additionally, it needed to fit in the back of a Land Rover for easy transport to archaeological sites.

The Solution

Our team, led by co-founder Howard and his daughter Jo, herself an engineer who was working with Morgan at the time, rose to the challenge with an innovative yet simple design. The cart was constructed using non-magnetic materials, ensuring that the sensors would operate at their highest sensitivity. A “magic” button was also installed, which, when pressed, triggered the four sensors to take a reading. Simultaneously, an odometer mounted on the axle recorded the distance the cart had travelled, providing valuable context for the data collected.

The Impact: Silbury Hill and Beyond

The cart system was first put to use in a large-scale survey of the fields surrounding Silbury Hill, a man-made chalk hill constructed during the Neolithic period. Our magnetic survey revealed a substantial Roman settlement in the shadow of Silbury Hill, a discovery that was completely new to archaeologists. The data also showed modern features, including disturbances from ferrous pipes, and a network of rectangular ditched Roman enclosures. Subsequent investigations using Ground Penetrating Radar revealed large masonry buildings, suggesting that Silbury Hill may have been a Roman “mansion.”

Fun Facts!

– Sir David Attenborough visited the site during the excavation work and even went back into the tunnel, having presented a documentary on the work to dig the tunnel in the 1960s.

– The hybrid cart/sledge design featured in an episode of the BBC’s “Flying Archaeologists,” exploring other prehistoric sites in Wiltshire.

Legacy and Adaptability

Over the years, the cart has evolved, providing an essential platform for both collecting data and developing modern systems. Our current magnetometer system uses a non-magnetic sledge and a survey-grade GPS antenna for precise measurements. However, the original cart was adapted and updated to test both the use of GPS positioning and a hybrid sledge/cart design.

Where’s the Cart today?

Our cart system really embodies our commitment to innovation, flexibility, and user-centric design. It has not only helped to advance the field of archaeology but has also stood the test of time, adapting to new technologies while still remaining in use today. As we celebrate National Manufacturing Day, we’re proud to share this story of how a simple yet high-tech design can have a lasting impact on our understanding of history.

So, as we welcome the next generation of innovators and thinkers, we hope this tale of ingenuity and discovery inspires them (and you!) to imagine the endless possibilities that lie ahead.