John Gater

John has been involved in archaeological geophysics for 18 years, working for British Gas, the Ancient Monuments Laboratory (English Heritage) and Bradford University Research. In 1986, he set up Geophysical Surveys (later known as GSB Prospection), an independent consultancy in geophysics for archaeology. He is also associate editor of the Journal of Archaeological Prospection.

John is interested in 'investigating without digging' all periods of archaeology. His favourite Time Team site is Athelney in Somerset, part of the very first series, where he was fascinated to see how the shape of the medieval building gradually became apparent. But there is life – and work – outside of Time Team, and of the many sites he has been involved with in Britain and elsewhere in the world, John best remembers the royal palace in Zimbabwe.

His ideal sites would be the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness, both circle henges on Mainland in Orkney. Work has been done on these 'superb' sites, but, says John, there is still much to do.

John Gater and Chris Gaffney were awarded an honorary doctorates from the University of Bradford in a ceremony on 21 July 2006 for their distinguished contributions to the field of archaeological geophysics, particularly through the Bradford-based company GSB Prospection and for their long-standing contributions to Time Team.

John Gater answers some of our questions

Revealing the Buried Past: Geophysics for archaeologists by Chris Gaffney and John Gater (Tempus, 2003) paperback £17.99
Written by two of the foremost experts in the field, this book draws the reader into the world of geophysics. Aimed at the seasoned archaeologist, student, amateur and those who have seen the 'geofizz' techniques used and want to learn a little more, the book is well written, clearly presented and has lots of illustrations and explanatory diagrams. An introduction to the history of geophysics is followed by a lucid discussion of the different techniques available, the methods and equipment used, survey logistics and post-survey analysis. Drawing on their work with Time Team, Gaffney and Gater present a series of case studies from different periods. In conclusion, they consider the future for prospecting for the past and how this powerful surveying tool may be transformed in years to come. Foreword by Mick Aston.
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