Interpreting the South Flats Earthwork (20MU2): Insights Gained from Geophysical Surveys

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
DONALD GAFF ◽  
LAURA SHERROD ◽  
JANET G. BRASHLER
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Internal Structure ◽  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The South ◽  
Food Exchange ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Ground Penetrating

ABSTRACT Michigan's prehistoric earthen enclosures are among the least understood archaeological sites in the state. This paper explores the function of the South Flats Earthwork (20MU2) using remote sensing strategies to reveal aspects of its internal structure not available through excavation. Ground penetrating radar and magnetometry were employed to explore this fragile archaeological site. Results, coupled with excavation data, suggest that South Flats was the work of a small-scale society and a locus of storage and food exchange through kin ties.

scholarly journals Applicability of Ground Penetrating Radar on desert archaeological sites: a case study from the Saqqara necropolis in Egypt

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Welc ◽  
Radosław Mieszkowski ◽  
Sebastian Kowalczyk ◽  
Jerzy Trzciński
Keyword(s):  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Clay Fraction ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Horizontal Resolution ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Ground Penetrating

Abstract This paper presents the preliminary results of ground penetrating radar sounding applied at the desert archaeological site in Saqqara (Egypt). The survey was carried out in 2012 within a project realized by Institute of Archaeology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw and the Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw. One of the key aims of the research was testing the application of ground penetrating radar to non-invasive surveys of desert archaeological sites. Radargrams obtained for area of so called the Dry Moat channel surrounding the Step Pyramid complex have shown the geological structure of its filling. It comprises among others debris-sand conglomerate of diluval origin characterized by a significant content of the clay fraction and clay minerals. Such lithological content strongly attenuate the propagation of EM waves, restricting the depth range of the GPR survey. The conducted geophysical prospection west to the Step Pyramid in Saqqara has confirmed the high applicability of the GPR method in non-invasive studies of vast architectural structures, such as the monumental ditch surrounding the Step Pyramid known as the Dry Moat. It should summarised that high horizontal resolution obtained during GPR survey is a result of local geological structure of the searched area, i.e. strong lithological contrast of the sediments filling the Dry Moat, which, depending on their mineralogical composition

scholarly journals Combination of ground penetrating radar and seismic surveys of the tailings dam

2021 ◽  
Vol 938 (1) ◽  
pp. 012020
Author(s):  
A Kalashnik ◽  
A Dyakov
Keyword(s):  
Internal Structure ◽  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Tailings Dam ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
In Situ Experiments ◽  
Water Saturated ◽  
Ground Penetrating

Abstract Identification of water-saturated zones in the tailings dams is an actual scientific and practical task in terms of providing, first of all, their mechanical strength and filtration stability. Use of active sounding geophysical study methods allows obtaining sufficiently detailed information about the peculiarities of the internal structure of the tailings dam and the degree of water saturation of the composing soils. The paper presents the results of in-situ experiments on the study of the tailings dam of the mining enterprise by ground penetrating radar (GPR) and seismic methods. A comparative analysis of the conducted studies has allowed clarifying the internal structure and assessing the dam’s condition, paying special attention to the identification of local zones of increased water saturation and filtration. Based on the calculated correlation coefficient of electromagnetic and seismic wave velocity values, it was revealed that synchronization of geophysical surveys allows significantly increasing the reliability of in-situ determinations, as well as obtaining more reliable data. The results of the studies are the basis for predicting the most vulnerable places (zones) of a bulk ground hydraulic facility, as well as the localization of water-saturated areas in the body of the ground structures with greater reliability and performance.

Multi-sensing geophysical surveys at the Archaeological Park of Paestum: the discovery of a small Doric temple

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Catapano ◽  
Luigi Capozzoli ◽  
Giovanni Ludeno ◽  
Gianluca Gennarelli ◽  
Gregory De Martino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
Magnetic Characteristics ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Earth Magnetic Field ◽  
Ground Penetrating

<p>Nowadays, non-invasive sensing technologies working at different spatial scales represent a recognized tool to support archaeological researches, because their deployment and cooperative use allow detection and localization of buried ruins before performing excavation. Therefore, they get significant advantages in planning the stratigraphic assays, while reducing costs and times, and support holistic approaches where cultural heritage management, protection and fruition aspects are considered under a unified context.</p><p>As a further example among those available in literature, this communication summarizes a successful case study carried out at the Archaeological site of Paestum, sited in the southern Italy [1].</p><p>Based on the analysis of aerial imagery and several unexpected archaeological findings, terrestrial measurement campaigns, involving magnetometer (MGA) [2] and ground penetrating radar (GPR) [3] methodologies, were carried out in the northwest quarter of the ancient city near the fortification wall and few meters away from the gate of Porta Marina. As detailed in [4], the MGA was exploited to investigate a large subsurface area in a relatively short time and allowed the identification of the most significant archaeological anomalies, by accounting for the variations of the earth magnetic field due to the different magnetic susceptibilities of construction materials and the magnetic characteristics of the shallow subsoil. The georeferenced MGA image was exploited to select the area requiring a further and more detailed survey, which was performed by means of GPR. Then, GPR data were processed by means of a microwave tomography based approach [4], which allowed a high resolution three dimensional reconstruction of buried targets starting from the electromagnetic field that they backscatter when illuminated by a known incident field. By doing so, detailed information about depth, shape, and orientation of the buried targets were retrieved and an impressive visualization of the the basement of the structure was achieved.</p><p>The area is currently under excavation and the initial discovered ruins fully confirm the hypotheses formulated on the basis of the elements found on the surface, the photo interpretations and geophysical investigations. The proposed reconstructive hypothesis of the building as a whole is a stylobate of 10.83 m x 6.80 on which 4 x 7 columns were arranged, with a significantly increased intercolumniation on the short sides (2.02 m) compared to the long sides (1.68 m).</p><p>[1] https://www.museopaestum.beniculturali.it/?lang=en</p><p>[2] A. Aspinall, C. Gaffney, A. Schmidt, A Magnetometry for archaeologists. Geophysical methods for archaeology, Altamira Press, Lanham, (2008).</p><p>[3] D. J. Daniels, Ground penetrating radar, IET, (2004).</p><p>[4] Capozzoli, L.; Catapano, I.; De Martino, G.; Gennarelli, G.; Ludeno, G.; Rizzo, E.; Soldovieri, F.; Uliano Scelza, F.; Zuchtriegel, G. The Discovery of a Buried Temple in Paestum: The Advantages of the Geophysical Multi-Sensor Application. Remote Sens. 2020, 12, 2711.</p>

Electrical and GPR prospecting at Palo Blanco archaeological site, northwestern Argentina

Geophysics ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. B193-B199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Martino ◽  
Néstor Bonomo ◽  
Eugenia Lascano ◽  
Ana Osella ◽  
Norma Ratto
Keyword(s):  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
2D Inversion ◽  
Residential Units ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Age Estimates

We conducted a geophysical survey at the Palo Blanco archaeological site located in Catamarca, Argentina. Age estimates from radiocarbon dating indicate first occupation of the site around 1500 years ago. The first description of thesite was done in 1960. At that time, five residential units with different architectural arrangements were reported. These structures had different levels of deterioration caused by exposure and human activities. Some of these original structures have become completely covered by sediments. To aid in the design of efficient excavation plans, detailed maps are required to locate the buried walls. For this purpose, we conducted geophysical surveys over one of the structures. We had poor documentation about the structure at the time of the survey. Only one of the walls described in the earlier report was partially visible. We used two geophysical methods: ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity. We performed 2D inversion of the resistivity data, together with numerical GPR simulations. These helped to distinguish the expected reflection events from others, aiding in a correct interpretation of the data. Finally, we made a complementary interpretation of the resistivity and GPR data to compile a detailed map of the selected structure. We found that considering the two methods independently would have led to an incomplete map. We delineated a much more complex structure than originally expected and designed an excavation plan which was carried out. The layout of the rooms of the structure fully matched the predictions based on the interpretation used in detecting the walls and their depths. In this way, the geophysical forecasts were confirmed after excavation.

scholarly journals Cooperative use of non invasive sensing methodologies for the geophysical monitoring of the archaeological park of Paestum

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Capozzoli ◽  
Francesco Soldovieri ◽  
Enzo Rizzo ◽  
Ilaria Catapano ◽  
Giovanni Ludeno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Campania Region ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Ancient City ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Ground Penetrating

<p>The deployment of non-invasive sensing methodologies capable of providing information useful to characterize, monitor and manage archaeological sites represents a fundamental step for the conservation/preservation of cultural heritage assets. In the framework of the national project VESTA (funded by the Campania Region), several non invasive activities have been carried out for testing a novel approach of analysis including <em>in situ</em> methodologies, drone and satellite technologies.</p><p>This communication deals with a case study carried out at the monumental archaeological site of Paestum, sited in the southern Italy, where Greek settlers founded the ancient city of <em>Poseidonia</em> (6th century B.C.) [1]. At this site, geophysical surveys based on the combined use of magnetometric analyses [2], geoelectrical surveys [3] and ground-penetrating radar measurements [4] have been performed. Specifically, the areas immediately close to the temples of Ceres and Neptune have been investigated to identify unknown and buried archaeological features and characterise the paleo-morphological context. The different resolution and depth of investigations related to the application of each one of the considered methodologies as well as the use of tomographic methodologies for the data processing allowed the collection of images showing different subsurface features of the investigated area at different spatial scale. These images made possible the identification of anomalies of the subsoil, which were useful both to respond to the questions of the archaeologists and give new perspectives for managing the site. At the conference, the results of the integrated geophysical surveys, as well as their archaeological interpretation, will be presented with a focus on the cultural and social value of the “water resource” for the ancient city of <em>Poseidonia</em>.</p><p> </p><p>[1] https://www.museopaestum.beniculturali.it/?lang=en</p><p>[2] A. Aspinall, C. Gaffney, A. Schmidt, A Magnetometry for archaeologists. Geophysical methods for archaeology, Altamira Press, Lanham (2008).</p><p>[3] A. Binley, A. Kemna, DC resistivity and induced polarization methods. InHydrogeophysics Water and Science Technology Library; R. Yuram, S.S- Hubbard, S.S., Eds.; Springer: New York, NY, USA (2005).</p><p>[4] D. J. Daniels, Ground penetrating radar, IET (2004).</p>

scholarly journals Reading of Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) Images of Prehistoric Flint Mine; Case Study from Krzemionki Opatowskie Archaeological Site In Central Poland

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Welc ◽  
Radosław Mieszkowski ◽  
Lawrence B. Conyers ◽  
Janusz Budziszewski ◽  
Artur Jedynak
Keyword(s):  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Mining District ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Central Poland ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Prehistoric Mining ◽  
Ground Penetrating

Abstract Geophysical surveys conducted in order to map tunnels and vertical shafts at the Neolithic chert mining field Krzemionki used a ground-penetrating radar(GPR to test hypotheses regarding orientation, depth and subsurface complexity of these voids.Using two-dimensional reflection profiles the vertical shafts, now mostly filled with lithic debris, were easily visible. Amplitude mapping visualized debris at shaft margins as well as a collapsed material inside the voids. Some shallower horizontal tunnels were also visible as sub-horizontal planar reflections generated from both ceiling and floors of these void spaces. Extension of these interpretations to un-mapped areas of the ancient mining district and complexity of these prehistoric mining features could be examined to determine excavation intensity and exploitation techniques used during the Neolithic.

Imaging the internal structure of trunks via multiscale phase inversion of ground-penetrating radar data

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-53
Author(s):  
Lei Fu ◽  
Lanbo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Dielectric Constant ◽  
Internal Structure ◽  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Phase Inversion ◽  
Multiscale Approach ◽  
White Oak ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Oak Tree ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Constant Distribution

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a geophysical technique widely used in near-surface non-invasive detecting. It has the ability to obtaining a high-resolution internal structure of living trunks. Full wave inversion (FWI) has been widely used to reconstruct the dielectric constant and conductivity distribution for cross-well application. However, in some cases, the amplitude information is not reliable due to the antenna coupling, radiation pattern and other effects. We present a multiscale phase inversion (MPI) method, which largely matches the phase information by normalizing the magnitude spectrum; in addition, a natural multiscale approach by integrating the input data with different times is implemented to partly mitigate the local minimal problem. Two synthetic GPR datasets generated from a healthy oak tree trunk and from a decayed trunk are tested by MPI and FWI. Field GPR dataset consisting of 30 common shot GPR data are acquired on a standing white oak tree (Quercus alba); the MPI and FWI methods are used to reconstruct the dielectric constant distribution of the tree cross-section. Results indicate that MPI has more tolerance to the starting model, noise level and source wavelet. It can provide a more accurate image of the dielectric constant distribution compared to the conventional FWI.

scholarly journals Searching for the History of the Ancient Basilicata: Archaeogeophysics Applied to the Roman Site of Forentum

Heritage ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1097-1116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Capozzoli ◽  
Sabrina Mutino ◽  
Maria Grazia Liseno ◽  
Gregory De Martino
Keyword(s):  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Third Century ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
The Third ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Geophysical Measurements ◽  
Regular Patterns

This paper describes the results obtained using an archaeogeophysical-based approach for discovering new Roman structures belonging to the ancient settlement of Forentum, currently identifiable by a well-preserved sanctuary from the third century BC. The investigated area has been affected by invasive anthropic activities that have partially damaged the Roman structures. Extensive geophysical measurements, including detailed ground-penetrating radar investigations supported by magnetometric data, have allowed for the identification of an impressive complex of structures composed of various buildings. Magnetometric and electromagnetic anomalies suggest the existence of an “urban” dimension close to the Gravetta Sanctuary, totally unearthed and unknown until now, organized into regular patterns in a similar way to the most famous site in the vicinity of Bantia, or the famous Apulian archaeological sites of Ordona and Arpi.

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