Integrated Multi-Fold GPR and Magnetic Gradiometry Study of an Archaeological Site in Northern Italy

Different geophysical methods applied at the settlement of Villasviejas del Tamuja (Botija, Spain) have identified robust anomalies located at the same position, but some anomalies are reflected by only one method. Furthermore, analysing the spatial correlation of these anomalies is of fundamental importance for obtaining a correct archaeological interpretation. In this work, we analysed the main results of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic gradiometry methods in a particular area of the archaeological site. In this analysis, we performed graphical and numerical spatial correlation analyses of the anomalies and observed strong agreement among the results provided by each method. Certain anomalies were reflected only in the magnetic and ERT studies. The results highlight the importance of applying several geophysical methods and performing spatial correlational analyses. Furthermore, the methodology that we have applied to evaluate the spatial correlation offers interesting results.

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A foetal tile from an archaeological site: anthropological investigation of human remains recovered in a medieval cemetery in Northern Italy

The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine ◽

10.1080/14767058.2017.1317742 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (11) ◽

pp. 1527-1529 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Marta Licata ◽

Chiara Rossetti ◽

Adelaide Tosi ◽

Paola Badino

Keyword(s):

Human Remains ◽

Archaeological Site ◽

Northern Italy

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The Copper Age in Northern Italy

Radiocarbon ◽

10.1017/s0033822200041709 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 43 (2B) ◽

pp. 1049-1055 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

U Zoppi ◽

E Fulcheri ◽

F M Gambari ◽

Q Hua ◽

E M Lawson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Archaeological Site ◽

Northern Region ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Archaeological Sites ◽

Copper Age ◽

Neolithic Age ◽

The Neolithic Age

During the period between the IVth and IIIrd millennia BC, profound changes for the ancient populations inhabiting the northern region of Italy occurred. The first Indo-European migrations were altering the ethnographic characteristics and, with the production of the first copper artifacts, the Neolithic Age was drawing to an end. The most significant testimony of that dramatic period is unquestionably the Ötztal iceman. In addition, many other valuable archaeological sites, such as Alba (Cuneo, Italy), have been discovered. Although Alba produced the oldest evidence of copper objects in a Neolithic context (5380 ± 40 BP; GX-25859-AMS), more recent discoveries have underlined the importance of this archaeological site. In this paper we will report on a series of radiocarbon measurements of bone remnants which, combined with morphologic, stratigraphic, paleoanthropologic, and paleopathologic studies, have allowed us to gain new insights into the culture and chronology of the European Copper Age.

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Feature-Scale Analysis Using Ground-Penetrating Radar and Low Altitude Prospection at the Collins Mounds Site, Northwest Arkansas

Index of Texas Archaeology Open Access Grey Literature from the Lone Star State ◽

10.21112/.ita.2018.1.10 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Stephanie M. Sullivan ◽

Tiago Attore

Keyword(s):

Ground Penetrating Radar ◽

Private Property ◽

Survey Methods ◽

Archaeological Site ◽

Geophysical Survey ◽

Mississippian Period ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Northwest Arkansas ◽

Ground Penetrating ◽

Magnetic Gradiometry

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.

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Archaeological, archaeomagnetic and thermoluminescence investigation of a baked clay kiln excavated at Chieri, northern Italy: contribution to the rescue of our cultural heritage

Annals of Geophysics ◽

10.4401/ag-6611 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 57 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Evdokia Tema ◽

Fulvio Fantino ◽

Enzo Ferrara ◽

Silvia Allegretti ◽

Alessandro Lo Giudice ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cultural Heritage ◽

Secular Variation ◽

Archaeological Site ◽

17Th Century ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Time Interval ◽

Independent Laboratory ◽

Laboratory Techniques ◽

Thermoluminescence Study ◽

Stable Characteristic

<p>Combining different dating techniques is fundamental to constrain the ages of archaeological findings, mainly when direct evidences for their chronological context are not available. This paper presents the results of a combined archaeological, archaeomagnetic and thermoluminescence study of a kiln discovered during a rescue excavation at Chieri, northern Italy. The archaeological site is quite complex mainly due to the interposition of different stratigraphic levels that span from Roman times to present day. The studied kiln belongs to the post-medieval stratigraphic level but the lack of datable diagnostic objects strongly limits the possibility of its accurate dating only by means of archaeological evidences. Archaeomagnetic study was performed on 26 baked clay samples, isolating stable characteristic remanent magnetizations. The statistic comparison of the averaged direction with reference secular variation curves suggests two possible dating intervals. Independent dating from thermoluminescence study of 2 samples is consistent with the second time interval proposed by archaeomagnetism, suggesting that the kiln was abandoned at the beginning of the 17th century. The successful combination of the two independent laboratory techniques provides accurate dating of archaeological baked clays and can be used as routine for future archaeological investigations of rescue excavations.</p>

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Remote Sensing, Archaeological, and Geophysical Data to Study the Terramare Settlements: The Case Study of Fondo Paviani (Northern Italy)

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs12162617 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (16) ◽

pp. 2617

Author(s):

Rita Deiana ◽

David Vicenzutto ◽

Gian Piero Deidda ◽

Jacopo Boaga ◽

Michele Cupitò

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Moisture Content ◽

Bronze Age ◽

Archaeological Site ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Buried Structures ◽

Archaeological Data ◽

Multidisciplinary Study ◽

Direct Measurements

During the Middle and Recent Bronze Age, the Po Plain and, more broadly Northern Italy were populated by the so-called “Terramare”, embanked settlements, surrounded by a moat. The buried remains of these archaeological settlements are characterized by the presence of a system of palaeo-environments and a consequent natural gradient in soil moisture content. These differences in the soil are often firstly detectable on the surface during the seasonal variations, with aerial, satellite, and Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) images, without any information on the lateral and in-depth extension of the related buried structures. The variation in the moisture content of soils is directly related to their differences in electrical conductivity. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and frequency domain electromagnetic (FDEM), also known as electromagnetic induction (EMI) measurements, provide non-direct measurements of electrical conductivity in the soils, helping in the reconstruction of the geometry of different buried structures. This study presents the results of the multidisciplinary approach adopted to the study of the Terramare settlement of Fondo Paviani in Northern Italy. Remote sensing and archaeological data, collected over about 10 years, combined with more recent ERT and FDEM measurements, contributed to the analysis of this particular, not yet wholly investigated, archaeological site. The results obtained by the integrated multidisciplinary study here adopted, provide new useful, interesting information for the archaeologists also suggesting future strategies for new studies still to be conducted around this important settlement.

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