scholarly journals Geoarchaeological Studies in Paphos – First Results

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 233-253
Author(s):  
Tomasz Kalicki ◽  
Joanna Krupa ◽  
Sławomir Chwałek

The geoarchaeological research conducted consisted of a geomorphological prospecting of the Paphos region and a geophysical examination of the ancient town of Nea Paphos and its agora. In addition, the morphogenetic processes that shaped the coastal plains of the Cypriot area were also determined and a research hypothesis that could explain the shrinking of the bay and the decline of the harbour north of the cape of Paphos was formulated. The Mala GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) ProEx System, which is compatible with shielded antenna of 500MHz, was used for the geophysical survey of the area. 95 profiles were completed in a northsouth direction (1m apart) and 51 in an eastwest direction (2m apart). One of the main difficulties was to distinguish the stone structures, as the bottoms of their walls were formed at the natural level of the rock and there were pebble layers located above them. Using versatile geophysical techniques, we have attempted to answer a couple of questions: Was the agora area a fully built-up one and what does the continuation of the walls into undiscovered sections of the agora signify?

2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 373-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Ucha ◽  
M. Botelho ◽  
G. S. Vilas Boas ◽  
L. P. Ribeiro ◽  
P. S. Santana

Foram estudados nove perfis ao longo de uma toposseqüência sobre os sedimentos do Grupo Barreiras, na Fazenda Rio Negro, município de Entre Rios (BA), utilizando a prospecção eletromagnética por meio do Radar Penetrante no Solo - "Ground-penetrating radar - GPR", objetivando analisar a utilização dessa ferramenta na aquisição de informações sobre as feições que ocorrem no solo, mediante a comparação entre os radargramas obtidos e a descrição pedológica. O equipamento utilizado foi um Geophysical Survey System modelo GPR SR system-2, com antena de 80 MHz. A análise radargramétrica confirmou o aparecimento dos fragipãs e duripãs em profundidade, que ocorrem sempre acompanhados de um processo de transformação dos solos do tipo Latossolo Amarelo e Argissolo Amarelo em Espodossolo. Os padrões de reflexão mostram claramente os domínios dos solos argilosos e dos solos arenosos, com e sem a presença dos horizontes endurecidos.


Geosciences ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 277
Author(s):  
Javier Rey ◽  
Julián Martínez ◽  
Mᵃ Carmen Hidalgo ◽  
Rosendo Mendoza ◽  
Mᵃ José Campos

The internal geometries of progradational units on the coastal plain in southeastern Spain (Carchuna Beach, Granada) since the maximum Holocene marine transgression (ca. 7000 cal BP) have been analysed using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Radargram analysis shows the presence of sedimentary structures consistent with the progradation of coastal plains, interpreted as laminations associated with the foreset and topset. Laterally, five middle scale progradational units (H2, H3, H4, H5 and H6) are identified. Each of these units can be grouped into two major units. The general trend towards progradation is interrupted at the boundary of the units. Minor scale units (prograding wedges), deposited at topographically lower areas, are detected in GPR profiles. The radargrams also show channel erosional surfaces and sigmoidal landward dipping reflections interpreted as washover channel deposits, with the erosion and transference of sediments between the beach and the back-ridge domain. Furthermore, the saturation of coastline sediments with saltwater rapidly attenuates the GPR signal. Thus, the GPR is also a good tool to detect saltwater intrusions in shallow aquifers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 620-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoe Elizabeth Jeffery ◽  
Stephen Penn ◽  
David Peter Giles ◽  
Linley Hastewell

The chalk bedrock of the Hampshire Basin, southern England is an important aquifer and is highly susceptible to dissolution, making the development and presence of karstic features a widespread occurrence. These features are hazardous because they provide possible pathways to the underlying aquifer and therefore present potential site-specific contamination risks. There is also evidence of extensive extraction, through both mining and surface quarrying, of chalk, flint and clay over many centuries. Geophysical techniques consisting of electromagnetic (EM31) and ground-penetrating radar surveys were used to identify and characterize target features identified from desk study data. The ground-penetrating radar and EM31 interpretations allowed the classification of non-anthropogenic target features, such as diffuse buried sinkholes with disturbed and subsiding clay-rich infill and varying symmetrical and asymmetrical morphologies. We describe here the investigations of such features identified at Holme Farm, Stansted House, Hampshire. The combination of EM31 data and ground-penetrating radar profiles facilitated the identification of a palaeovalley, cavities and irregular rockhead. This investigation identified locations of aquifer contamination risk as some sinkholes have been sites for the illegal dumping of waste or the infiltration of fertilizers, leaking sewage pipes or animal waste. This potential source of contamination utilizes the sinkhole as a pathway into the highly transmissive White Chalk Subgroup of Hampshire and has caused contamination of the aquifer. We conclude that our integrated approach of geophysical techniques linked to aerial photographs and LiDAR image interpretation was highly effective in the location and characterization of dissolution structures, infilled former quarries and mining features at this site.


2002 ◽  
Vol 48 (161) ◽  
pp. 287-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky Goodsell ◽  
Michael J. Hambrey ◽  
Neil F. Glasser

AbstractStructural glaciological, sedimentological and geophysical techniques are used to provide new insight concerning the formation of band ogives and associated structures at Bas Glacier d’Arolla, Switzerland. Sedimentary stratification, crevasse traces and transverse foliation are identified as planar structures in the lower icefall and glacier tongue. Stratification and crevasse traces are progressively deformed into, and enhance, the transverse foliation found in the glacier tongue. Three-dimensional geometry has been defined using ground-penetrating radar, which portrays four main characteristics: (i) deep reflectors interpreted as the ice/bed interface, (ii) alternating reflection-rich and reflection-poor zones interpreted as ogives, (iii) up-glacier-dipping reflectors, interpreted as planar structures, and (iv) down-glacier-dipping reflectors of uncertain origin. At the glacier surface, each band ogive consists of a light and dark band. The dark bands contain more intense foliation which, on differential weathering, traps fine debris. Clasts and clear ice of basal character within dark ogive bands suggest that basal ice has been raised to the glacier surface. The most applicable model for the formation of band ogives at Bas Glacier d’Arolla is a refinement of Posamentier’s (1978) “reverse faulting” hypothesis. In this context, multiple shear zones are formed, through which basal ice is uplifted to the glacier surface to produce the dark, foliated ogive bands. This model fits observations reported from other glaciers with band ogives.


2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-François Millaire ◽  
Edward Eastaugh

Recent geophysical survey at the early urban center of the Gallinazo Group in the Virú Valley highlights the potential for a multifaceted approach to remote sensing on the desert coast of South America and underscores the value of these well-established techniques for the rapid and detailed mapping of complex urban architecture. The Gallinazo Group (100 B.C.-A.D. 700) was an early city home to a population of between 10,000 and 14,400 people living in a network of agglutinated houses, plazas, public buildings, and alleyways. In 2008, detailed analysis of the site was undertaken, integrating traditional excavation techniques, soil coring, magnetometry, and ground-penetrating radar to gain a better understanding of the urban morphology of the site. The results of this fieldwork were extremely successful, with large areas of the urban layout being mapped in great detail. This article presents results from our survey, highlighting the potentials and limitations of each technique.


Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2938
Author(s):  
Neil Linford ◽  
Russell MacKechnie-Guire ◽  
May Cassar

The aim of this trial project was to identify whether buried archaeological remains may have an influence on equine locomotion, through comparison with a non-invasive Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey. This study was conducted at the world-renowned Burghley Horse Trials site, near Stamford, City of Peterborough, U.K. that has a diverse range of heritage assets throughout the wider park land centred on the Grade 1 listed Elizabethan Burghley House. The initial aim of the research was to first use geophysical survey to identify and characterise archaeological remains, and then to determine a suitable location to conduct an equine locomotion study. This trial was conducted with five event type horses with their gaits recorded through the use of three axis, wireless, Inertial Measurement Units, and high speed video capture. It was hoped that this study might indicate an association between the presence of well preserved archaeological remains and changes in the gait of the horses, similar to those shown by studies of dressage horses over different riding surfaces. The results from the equine locomotion study did demonstrate a correlation between the presence of surviving archaeological remains and the alteration in the horses’ gait and, although this is only a preliminary study, the results may well be of interest during the design and construction of equine event facilities. Geophysical survey could, for example, be considered during the design of new or alteration to existing equine courses to allow some mitigation in the location of the course with respect to any archaeological remains, or through the appropriate use of a protective artificial surface.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharafeldin M. Sharafeldin ◽  
Khalid S. Essa ◽  
Mohamed A. S. Youssef ◽  
Zein E. Diab

Abstract. Geophysical studies were performed along selected locations across the Pyramids Plateau to investigate the groundwater table and the near aquifer, which harmfully affected the existed monuments of the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx. Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI), Shallow Seismic Refraction (SSR) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) techniques were carried out along selected profiles in the plateau. Ten ERI, twenty six SSR and nineteen GPR profiles were performed at the sites. The ERI survey shows that, the groundwater table is at elevations varying from 13 to 18 m above the sea level (asl) and low resistivity values near the surface at the Great Sphinx. ERI profiles, which were applied southeast of the Middle Pyramid (Khafre), show high resistivity values near the surface, and water table is located at elevations ranging from 22 to 40 m asl, while the ERI profiles conducted south of Menkaure, show almost high resistivity near the surface. The groundwater table is located at elevations ranging between 45 and 58 m asl. The aquifer layer shows electrical resistivities ranging between 10 and 50 Ohm.m. The considerable high change in the groundwater table is due to the rapid increases of topography from the Great Sphinx towards the Small Pyramids (Menkaure), where this part looks-like a scarp. The SSR Survey is transmitted to know the different velocities and types of the layers, which can help in knowing the saturated layers in the area. The GPR Survey is performed to delineate the water table, which gives good matching with the ERI results.


Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Sullivan ◽  
Tiago Attore

Geophysical survey and other non-invasive methods are, in some cases, the only options available for archaeological investigation. This is exemplified at the Collins site, a possible Late Woodland to Middle Mississippian period, multi-mound, civic ceremonial center in Northwest Arkansas. The site is located on private property and although excavation is not allowed, non-invasive survey methods are permitted on its northern section. This paper presents the results of a ground-penetrating radar survey over Mounds B, C, and D. The results reveal a number of features that are interpreted as mortuary structures as well as evidence of multiple building episodes over time within distinct layers of Mound C. A high-resolution DEM generated with aerial imagery is used in interpreting the GPR data as well as to provide an updated map of mound size and distribution. By integrating the GPR data with the DEM, orthoimagery, and magnetic gradiometry data from a previously documented survey, and comparing the results to ethnohistoric accounts, interpretation of the geophysical data is enhanced. Geophysical survey is often used to assess an archaeological site on a landscape scale. By narrowing the scope to individual mounds, this article demonstrates how multiple, complementary technologies, when used in concert, can inform on the feature level.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document