In archaeology the ability to measure the location of a site, artefact, or earthwork is essential.

Nowadays many archaeological sites use either GPS or Total Station for site survey. Differential GPS can record points of circa 1cm accuracy levels in three dimensions, and can also allow real time ‘on the fly’ measurements to be taken allowing large areas of land to be surveyed. The total station is an electronic theodolite and Electronic Distance Measurer that records point locations by measuring distance and angles.

This course will teach the required skills that are used on excavations and other sites for locating features using GPS and total Station.

The course will also go further to enable participants to learn the complex skills of archaeological topographic survey, recording a site with a combination of both objective and subjective survey methods.

Topographic Survey Training day course aims to help participants learn about the theory, science, uses, methods, logistics, deployment, data collection, data processing, and reporting, behind archaeological topographic surveying.

The course will include a mixture of classroom and field based working. This is a field based training course consisting of hands-on experience backed up by some work in a classroom style environment. YOU will undertake the work in a group and collect real data in the field.

The course will include:

• Introduction and theory, working in grids, mapping in 2 D and 3D, working with co-ordinates and heights, ‘X,Y, & Z’,
• Pythagoras and Right Angles,
• Levelling heights in ‘Z’,
• Laying out a trench from  Ordnance Survey co-ordinates - ‘X & Y’,
• Introduction to Total Station & GPS,
• Undertaking the survey - data collection, including control points, total station survey and cross-sections with a dumpy level.
• Introduction to mapping in 3D with a Dumpy Level.
• Downloading data,
• Introduction to 2D mapping,
• Creating a Digital Terrain Model in GIS.

Students will meet at at King John’s Palace in Clipstone. The training will take place at the site of the Palace, and a survey will be undertaken in Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve. Full details of the site will be provided nearer the time, but will be within 2 miles of King John’s Palace (transport from the classroom sessions to the field will be provided if required).

The survey training will begin at King John’s Palace, former royal heart of Sherwood Forest, and then move to the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve where earthworks from Medieval Holloways and ridge and furrow to Second World War Military dug-outs will be surveyed.

As well as being a training survey, this course will undertake real archaeological research, mapping and recording earthworks as part of a level two survey of archaeological features as part of the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve Archaeological Survey.

Ancient track-way through the Forest

Learning to survey with Total Station at King John’s Palace

As well as offering the best in archaeological training and support, the topographic survey course is tailored towards enabling attendees to fulfil requirements of the Archaeological Skills Passport.

Take your skills to the next level by joining our week long

Topographic Survey Training Course 2025

Kings John’s Palace
and Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire.

Price £350 per person

The Major Oak legendary hideaway of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest

Thank you

Please note that Archaeology can be quite physically demanding, so please contact to discuss any limiting factors with regard to you undertaking fieldwork.

Please contact us if you have any issues.

Please note we do not provide accommodation. We can provide a list of local accommodation from camping to hotels- but it is the responsibility of the individual booking on to the field school to organise their own accommodation.

Any list provided should not be seen as a recommendation by Mercian Archaeological Services CIC.

To pay by cheque or bank transfer, please contact us below stating which week you wish to attend and how you wish to pay.

or If you require more information before booking please contact us via our email:

info@mercian-as.co.uk

Please have a look at the Information page for more details to enable you to come along and join the course, and to get the most out of the experience.

The page contains information on getting to the site, ideas about where to stay, what to wear, what to bring, and more.

If you are new to Sherwood Forest why not stay a while and have a look at some of the other things there are to do in this landscape of legends…

Payment options

You can book your place for any of the weeks of the training course via a number of ways:

• You can pay for your place in full online via the ‘buy now’ option below. This includes a £150 non-refundable deposit.
• You can pay a £150 non-refundable deposit via the second  ‘buy now’ option below. This will reserve your place until we receive your full payment which is required 12 weeks prior to the commencement of the course.
• You can pay by cheque in FULL or £150 deposit. In order to pay this way please contact us first via email at info@mercian-as.co.uk in order to ensure your place is reserved before sending a cheque. We will then be able to arrange where the cheque is sent to.
• You can pay by direct bank transfer in FULL or £150 deposit. In order to pay this way please contact us first via email (info@mercian-as.co.uk).

PLEASE NOTE:

By booking a place on the training course you are agreeing to abide by Mercian Archaeological Services CIC’s TERMS and CONDITIONS and by our CODE of CONDUCT.  

Click here to view full terms and conditions including our health and safety policy

Please choose your payment option below and click “Buy Now”

Booking:

Places are limited so please book promptly to avoid disappointment.

booking

Topographic Survey Course week: Dates to be announced

Book your place by paying in FULL £350:

Or

Pay £150 non-refundable DEPOSIT to reserve your place:

Pay OUTSTANDING BALANCE £200:

Dates to be announced

*Please note that while aspects of this course will be in-depth, attendance on the course will not qualify delegates to work as an archaeological surveyor; no matter how high the quality of tuition a week long course cannot substitute for the years of experience, training and knowledge required.

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Topographic Survey Training Course

email: info@mercian-as.co.uk