The ongoing operation and continuous monitoring of a geophysical test bed with known construction and simulating some of the most commonly experienced archæological features brings both exciting opportunities and tangible benefits to the study of geophysical anomalies.

It is anticipated that baseline results from a variety of currently accepted geophysical instruments will be gathered on a weekly basis and in all weather conditions. These data will be supplemented by the interim results of students from a number of disciplines including Archæology, Geology and Civil Engineering, leading to a conservative estimate of some 2.5M readings collected every year.

Software to analyse, compare and merge the visual representation of the data produced by complementary instruments (e.g. resistivity and magnetometry) is already available in products such as AgriMensor and others, but a method of analysing student results and comparing these with the simulated features has yet to be realised. One of the major challenges to be overcome is the fact that the exact nature, position and quantum of the various features will not be publicly disclosed, so some other method must be used to enable tutors and supervisors to judge the quality and interpretation of their students' output.

Although initially a manual process by Butser's resident geophysics Project Manager, it is envisaged that an online LMS (Learning Management System) will subsequently be deployed. The aim of the LMS will be to enable student records to be recorded and graded on an objective, rather than a subjective, basis and allowing mentoring by the tutor or supervisor to take place.

It is our hope that as many academic institutions as possible will take a pro-active rôle in the populating of this important database and we would welcome the establishment of a formal dialogue with as many of them as possible.