Volunteers to help solve Hadrian's Wall puzzle

Volunteers take underground readings to build a clearer archaeological picture of the site

A team surveying Hadrian's Wall hope to add a "piece to the jigsaw" of its route.

Archaeologist Mark Graham is seeking volunteers to help him make a geophysical survey of 25 acres (10 hectares) of land in Drumburgh, Cumbria.

He said much of the Roman wall's route, most of which is underground, had not been confirmed and he hoped to help rectify that.

"I think people sometimes have this misconception that because something is so protected, it means it is really well understood," Mr Graham said.

He is seeking volunteers for several survey days in November, December and January.

There is no digging involved in the work, which is being funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and instead relies on taking magnetic and electric resistance recordings of the ground.

Anomalies found in the readings can point to the exact route of the wall, he said.

Adding to the story

"Sometimes it can feel like Hadrian's Wall belongs to someone else," Mr Graham said.

"It's in the realm of high academics...but it is owned by everyone.

"Finding out exactly what it does here is our chance to just add to that story and to work together with local people.

"Any piece of the jigsaw of Hadrian's Wall which we can clarify, helps us to understand just how the Romans functioned on the wall."

The team also hope to find a small fort on the World Heritage site, called a milecastle, which has long been predicted to be in the region.

"If we do, then we will be the first people to actually see that milecastle and put it in the right position," he said.