Preliminary results of using magnetometry at the settlement sites: geophysical survey of the Razdolje II settlement case study

In 2009 the settlement of Razdolje II (Kursk region) was investigated by means of magnetometry. No evidence of modern habitation was registered, whereas numerous artefacts were discovered in the plough soil with help of a metal detector; the material dates to the early 5th c. AD. Processor Overhauser sensor POS-2 in a gradient (two channels) modification was used. Measurement of the vertical gradient (2 m) of the Earth's magnetic field was made. Continuous survey at every area of investigation was performed with the sensitivity of ± 0.1 nT and a grid no more than 0.5 m, the studied area totalling 3100 sq. m. The revealed anomalies probably point to a settlement site. No strong and highly polarised magnetic anomalies have been registered, which suggests that the settlement was not destroyed by fire. Probably, the survey was made within the territory of two households with a complex structure. Further geophysical and archaeological researches could make the interpretation of obtained results more precise.