scholarly journals Ground-Penetrating Radar Prospections in Lecce Cathedral: New Data about the Crypt and the Structures under the Church

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1692
Author(s):  
Giovanni Leucci ◽  
Lara De Giorgi ◽  
Immacolata Ditaranto ◽  
Ilaria Miccoli ◽  
Giuseppe Scardozzi

Lecce is a city located in the southern part of the Apulia region (south Italy). Its subsoil is rich in the remains of superimposed ancient settlements from the Messapian period (7th–3rd century BC) to the Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Lecce Cathedral is one of the most important buildings in the town. It was built in the 12th century and transformed in the 16th and 17th centuries. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys were carried out in the cathedral and its crypt with the aim to evidence both probably buried structures related to the known crypt and other features such as tombs. The GPR investigations allow us to locate many features under the floor of the church. Some of them are unknown and could belong to the previous building of the Romanesque period. Furthermore, most of the identified structures are related to tombs and underground rooms (ossuaries). Under the crypt floor, six tombs of the 19th and 20th centuries and other ancient structures were documented.

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 2205
Author(s):  
Lara De Giorgi ◽  
Ivan Ferrari ◽  
Francesco Giuri ◽  
Giovanni Leucci ◽  
Giuseppe Scardozzi

The church of Santa Maria della Lizza is one of the most important examples of medieval architecture in the Salento Peninsula in south Italy. In order to understand the extension and layout of the crypts, integrated ground-penetrating radar (GPR) prospections and laser scanner surveys were undertaken in the church and in the surrounding areas. The analysis of the GPR measurements revealed many anomalies that could be ascribed to unknown structures (crypts), as well as other anomalies related to the old church. The GPR data were supported by the laser scanner data establishing the spatial relationship between the surface and the level below the church.


Author(s):  
Peter M. Fischer ◽  
Patrik Klingborg ◽  
Fanny Kärfve ◽  
Fredrika Kärfve ◽  
C. Hagberg ◽  
...  

Determination of the complete occupational sequence of the site, including investigation of pre-12th century levels which were thoroughly studied by P. Åström since the 1970s, is the main task of the planned project. During the course of the expedition (NSCE11) in spring 2010 a ground-penetrating radar survey (GPR) was carried out at Dromolaxia Vizatzia/Hala Sultan Tekke in Area 6, leading to the discovery of a large Late Cypriote complex. The compound is bordered to the north by a substantial wall, against which nine rooms (so far) could be exposed. Two occupational phases have been verified but there are indications of a third. The suggested functions of the various structures of the most recent phase are: living, working, storage and administration spaces. The rich find contexts point to the production of textiles and metal objects, and the locally produced pottery is generally of a high quality. There are also many imports, mainly from the Mycenaean sphere of culture. The locally produced vessels from Phase 2 include the “Creature krater” which is a masterpiece of a high artistic standard. Another piece of elevated artistry is the piece of a “Warrior vase”.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Marc N. Levine ◽  
Scott W. Hammerstedt ◽  
Amanda Regnier ◽  
Alex E. Badillo

In this article, we present the most significant results of the Monte Albán Geophysical Archaeology Project. Using ground-penetrating radar, gradiometry, and electrical resistance, we carried out a systematic survey of the site's Main Plaza to identify buried prehispanic features that might shed light on Monte Albán's early history. The most important discoveries include three buried structures dating between the Danibaan (500–300 BC) and Nisa phases (100 BC–AD 100). We argue that the largest structure, measuring 18 × 18 m, was probably a temple platform and that all three of the structures were razed and buried by the end of the Nisa phase at the latest. Furthermore, we contend that these events were part of a major renovation and expansion of the site's Main Plaza that occurred during a pivotal period of dramatic sociopolitical transformation in the Zapotec capital.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2384
Author(s):  
Roland Filzwieser ◽  
Vujadin Ivanišević ◽  
Geert J. Verhoeven ◽  
Christian Gugl ◽  
Klaus Löcker ◽  
...  

Large parts of the urban layout of the abandoned Roman town of Bassianae (in present-day Serbia) are still discernible on the surface today due to the deliberate and targeted quarrying of the Roman foundations. In 2014, all of the town's intramural (and some extramural) areas were surveyed using aerial photography, ground-penetrating radar, and magnetometry to analyze the site's topography and to map remaining buried structures. The surveys showed a strong agreement between the digital surface model derived from the aerial photographs and the geophysical prospection data. However, many structures could only be detected by one method, underlining the benefits of a complementary archaeological prospection approach using multiple methods. This article presents the results of the extensive surveys and their comprehensive integrative interpretation, discussing Bassianae's ground plan and urban infrastructure. Starting with an overview of this Roman town's research history, we present the details of the triple prospection approach, followed by the processing, integrative analysis, and interpretation of the acquired data sets. Finally, this newly gained information is contrasted with a plan of Roman Bassianae compiled in 1935.


Geosciences ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 244
Author(s):  
Marilena Cozzolino ◽  
Elisa Di Giovanni ◽  
Vincenzo Gentile ◽  
Paolo Mauriello ◽  
Natascia Pizzano

This paper deals with the application of geophysical prospections to the study of the Church of Saint Cosma in Helerito inside the Monastery of Saints Cosma and Damiano (Tagliacozzo, L’Aquila, Italy). The research aimed to verify the presence of buried ancient archaeological structures of a construction phase older than the current building. Thus, a grid of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) profiles was carried out inside the building in the available spaces using a radar unit equipped with a multi-frequency antenna of 200–600 MHz. The analysis of 2D radargrams and horizontal slices relative to different temporal ranges led to the identification of significant regular patterns of the amplitude of the electromagnetic signals. The results suggest the presence of a buried structure below the analyzed surface.


2016 ◽  
Vol 861 ◽  
pp. 263-270
Author(s):  
M. Eugenia Torner ◽  
Ángeles Mas ◽  
Carlos Lerma ◽  
Enrique Gil ◽  
Jose Vercher ◽  
...  

The Church of Asunción of Llíria (Valencia, Spain) is one of the best examples of the Valencian Baroque of the seventeenth century. This research is based on the study of the building from an urban, historical, and especially, a constructive view. The location of this particular church is unique because it is embedded in a mountain. First, some excavations were made into the mountain before the construction of the church started. Thus, there is a slope between the main entrance of the church and the rear. This research work provides the analysis of the ground humidity throughout the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technique. We have analysed the subsoil of the whole church by various cuts or paths. Longitudinal and transversal measurements allowed us to produce a three-dimensional model of the land on which the church stands. We have also analysed the homogeneity or heterogeneity of the subsoil in each area and the presence of certain ground water routes. The rising moisture has been analysed on the walls and pillars of the church. To this end, a moisture analyser has been employed to monitor the moisture content over a period of six months. With this information, it was possible to identify points that are systematically more humid.


2010 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 89-95
Author(s):  
M. Bavusi ◽  
A. Loperte ◽  
V. Lapenna ◽  
U. Moscatelli ◽  
S. Minguzzi

Abstract. A magnetic and Ground Penetrating Radar joint survey was carried out in the framework of the R.I.M.E.M. project that has the aim of supporting the archaeological prospections and drive the selection of the excavation areas related to the Late Roman Period and Early Middle Ages in the Central and Southern Italy. In particular, this papers deals with the magnetic surveys acquired near "Madonna della Valle" and GPR and magnetic joint surveys carried out in "Monastero"site. Most of magnetic maps carried out in "Madonna della Valle" site shown the absence of structured magnetic anomalies, despite of the presence of archaeological signs. Several hypothesis were given to explain this evidence. Joint interpretation performed in "Monastero" site shown more intense magnetic anomalies related with shallower reflections due to probably to buried pipes. Other reflections are related with magnetic anomalies compatible with archaeological targets, but some significant reflections do not correspond to any magnetic anomaly, indicating magnetic method could be "blind" respect the archaeological target. New field surveys including the electrical resistivity tomography could be carried out in order to overcome these acquisition and interpretation difficulties.


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