Finding something underground

Finding something underground

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Discussion

V8Matthew

Original Poster:

2,675 posts

165 months

Friday 24th March 2017
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I want to find something underground, specifically a man made structure (think along the lines of a stone-lined tunnel or sewer). At a guess, 2m deep. I've e-mailed various historical/archaeological organisations but either they're busy or not interested. I've heard about using GPR but don't know much about it. Has anyone here actually used it to find something underground?

jet_noise

5,630 posts

181 months

Saturday 25th March 2017
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How big an area, if small then just a long metal prod?
State of ground - if wooded then it's difficult, if sandy or short grass then easier.
Dousing?

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

125 months

Saturday 25th March 2017
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What's the surface? How much do you care about the surface...?

Lynchie999

3,421 posts

152 months

Saturday 25th March 2017
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contact the local university with a Geology / Geophysics dept! they might be able to help, plus have the kit you need... and practice for the students!

V8Matthew

Original Poster:

2,675 posts

165 months

Saturday 25th March 2017
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The ground is soil/grass, and the item of interest circa 2m deep at a guess. I'm not allowed to damage the ground sadly or I would be in there already haha.

Dowsing, there is a local society. Part of me wants to say it's bullst, but then part of me is curious to see it in action.

I like the idea of contacting a local college/uni.

Simpo Two

85,147 posts

264 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
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V8Matthew said:
Dowsing, there is a local society. Part of me wants to say it's bullst, but then part of me is curious to see it in action.
Get a wire coathanger and two biro cases and have a go; you have nothing to lose.

At school we were able to follow a sewer by this method; I've done it and it works. I have no idea how!

Beati Dogu

8,861 posts

138 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
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You can also hire ground survey equipment from tool hire companies these days. E.g.

http://www.brandontoolhire.co.uk/en/phoenix-survey...

jshell

11,006 posts

204 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
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Simpo Two said:
Get a wire coathanger and two biro cases and have a go; you have nothing to lose.

At school we were able to follow a sewer by this method; I've done it and it works. I have no idea how!
Really? Wow! I've got a link for you to make some cash: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_prizes_for_e...

Simpo Two

85,147 posts

264 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
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jshell said:
Really? Wow! I've got a link for you to make some cash: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_prizes_for_e...
I wouldn't call it 'paranormal'. I'm the biggest atheist cynic you'll meet. But I did it and it worked. Somehow, it's physical. Call something 'paranormal' and you've automatically filed it as 'bks only fit for a Channel 5 series'.

southendpier

5,254 posts

228 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
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Look at old OS maps may show a drain or the tunnel. You can see many online or at your local library. You need to know where to start looking.

jshell

11,006 posts

204 months

Friday 31st March 2017
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Simpo Two said:
jshell said:
Really? Wow! I've got a link for you to make some cash: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_prizes_for_e...
I wouldn't call it 'paranormal'. I'm the biggest atheist cynic you'll meet. But I did it and it worked. Somehow, it's physical. Call something 'paranormal' and you've automatically filed it as 'bks only fit for a Channel 5 series'.
I'm a cynic. There have been endless tests of dowsers in controlled conditions, thousands of them and every single one has been a failure. There's nothing physical, nothing proveable. Honestly, if you could demonstrate it for real, you could become rich - very rich...

hidetheelephants

23,731 posts

192 months

Saturday 1st April 2017
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V8Matthew said:
The ground is soil/grass, and the item of interest circa 2m deep at a guess. I'm not allowed to damage the ground sadly or I would be in there already haha.
If you're not allowed to disturb the ground to have a look, knowing its there(or not there) is pretty academic shirley?

fuzzyyo

371 posts

160 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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V8Matthew said:
I want to find something underground, specifically a man made structure (think along the lines of a stone-lined tunnel or sewer). At a guess, 2m deep. I've e-mailed various historical/archaeological organisations but either they're busy or not interested. I've heard about using GPR but don't know much about it. Has anyone here actually used it to find something underground?
GPR is best for finding things with differing densities; for example finding a void in soil. However, if your structure is solid and has 2m of rubble above it, there is no chance of GPR being able to differentiate between the two. I've used GPR a number of times for work and everytime the results have been disappointing. There are other geophysical techniques you could use but all have limitations. Unfortunately in my experience you never know whats below the ground unless you dig it up.

Edited by fuzzyyo on Sunday 2nd April 22:02

bill swizz

83 posts

186 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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Aerial photos often show up underground structures, though this depends on the time of year and the type of vegetation. In the field by my house some roman field boundaries were shown like this.
If you are in no hurry and know someone with a drone you might be able to get some results this way. I would think that the less often the surface of the ground has been disturbed (ploughing etc) since the underground structure was put in the better your chances of success.

V8Matthew

Original Poster:

2,675 posts

165 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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hidetheelephants said:
If you're not allowed to disturb the ground to have a look, knowing its there(or not there) is pretty academic shirley?
Although I'd love to dig it up, knowing it is there would be good. It's a local legend, and I'm curious in a 'Mythbusters' kind of way. Plus, if I can provide some evidence its existence, someone with the necessary permissions may decide to further investigate.

HappySilver

319 posts

163 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Send the police an anonymous letter saying that you buried a body in the area, they will soon be round to dig it up for you to see what is underground.

V8Matthew

Original Poster:

2,675 posts

165 months

Friday 14th April 2017
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HappySilver said:
Send the police an anonymous letter saying that you buried a body in the area, they will soon be round to dig it up for you to see what is underground.
hehe

That's Viz-level top tipping!

lunarscope

2,895 posts

241 months

Friday 14th April 2017
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Once you've located the underground structure and dug a hole, to better inspect it you will need a lightbulb affixed to a broom handle. #legendaryunresolvedthread

superlightr

12,842 posts

262 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
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V8Matthew said:
hidetheelephants said:
If you're not allowed to disturb the ground to have a look, knowing its there(or not there) is pretty academic shirley?
Although I'd love to dig it up, knowing it is there would be good. It's a local legend, and I'm curious in a 'Mythbusters' kind of way. Plus, if I can provide some evidence its existence, someone with the necessary permissions may decide to further investigate.
its not a Nazi tunnel in Jersey?

Pupp

12,205 posts

271 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
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Bang some frozen sausages above the suspected line of it; Badgers will do the rest... wink