Using Geophysics to Characterize a Prehistoric Burial Mound in Romania

A geophysical investigation was carried across the M3 burial mound from Silvașu de Jos —Dealu Țapului, a tumuli necropolis in western Romania, where the presence of the Yamnaya people was certified archaeologically. For characterizing the inner structure of the mound, two conventional geophysical methods have been used: a geomagnetic survey and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). The results allowed the mapping of the central features of the mound and the establishment of the relative stratigraphy of the mantle, which indicated at least two chronological phases. Archaeological excavations performed in the central part of the mound accurately validated the non-invasive geophysical survey and offered a valuable chronological record of the long-forgotten archaeological monument. Geophysical approaches proved to be an invaluable instrument for the exploration of the monument and suggest a fast constructive tool for the investigation of the entire necropolis which currently has a number of distinct mounds.

Being Enclosed as a Lifestyle: Complex Neolithic Settlements of Eastern Croatia Re-Evaluated through Aerial and Magnetic Survey

Archeological excavations and field survey of Neolithic sites during the last 100 years have formed a certain framework within which we developed an interpretation of Neolithic life in this area. Even though researchers have stressed the importance of sites, region, or period in their publications, most of the results revealed very modest remains of Neolithic settlements, too small or too scarce to provide insight in settlement size, organization, and other aspects of life. A combination of non-destructive methods of research is proving to be a more effective means of Neolithic site detection and interpretation. Here, we present the sites Gorjani-Kremenjača, Koritna-Pašnik, Gat-Svetošnice, Ivanovac-Korođvar, Klisa-Groblje, and Brdo, whose size and shape were defined through a combination of the analysis of aerial and satellite imagery and geomagnetic survey. Experience in combined research strategies will help us in our efforts to define parameters in recognizing regularities in the remains of settlement organization visible only from the air. Our results showed a complex network of densely populated settlements with elaborate internal organization and infrastructure varying in size from 10 to 50 ha. All settlements were surrounded by at least one set of ditches. Their internal organization was complex and suggests dense habitation. Many sites have several ditched spaces organized in complex systems. Obtained data and results provide a comprehensive review in a wider European context.

Hradisko Tabulová hora u Klentnice v době popelnicových polí

Tabulová hora hillfort plays a prominent role in the landscape of the South Moravia region. The excavation in 50’s brought basic information about the wall construction. At the beginning of the 21st century rumours about illegal metal detecting activities started to spread. According to this rumours a significant number of Bronze Age hoards as well as exclusive items were illegally excavated. This sparked a new wave of professional interest leading to a series of archaeological non-destructive activities on the site. The aim of this study is to present new results of defence system survey as well as geomagnetic survey of particular hillfort sections. The results are confronted with the data coming from the past excavations. A discussion on the role of hillforts in the Urnfield society follows.

Potensi Timah Primer Daerah Nyelanding Berdasarkan Analisis Data Geomagnet

The village area of Nyelanding is estimated that there are still many regions that have primary tin prospects, this is confirmed by the large number of community mines that are still operating. This research purposes to see the distribution of primary tin mineralization and zones where deposition of tin. This research uses a geomagnetic exploration survey method with back – rover (mobile) system, the length of the track of ±3.5 km. The spacing of 200 m as many as 44 tracks, the direction of the track from south to north with data collection techniques starting from west to east. The data obtained of a magnetic strength value which will then be interpreted into a magnetic anomaly map to determine the location of recommendations. The research method used the Geomagnetic Survey method, of GSM-19 T Magnetometer. The interpretation results, the final map with the lowest magnetic anomaly shows magnetic anomaly values ranging from -7.2 to -3.3 nT at locations 1, 2, 3, the highest magnetic anomaly ranges from -4.6 to 5.0 nT in the southern part which is an area close to community settlements and the village highway of Nyelanding, and the direction of mineral distribution for zone 1 starts from east-west, zone 2 focuses towards the middle which means from southwest-northeast direction or vice versa, zone 3 from southwest-northeast. The upward continuity map 250 and matching the location of samples containing Sn levels around the recommended zone, it is certain that the area has cassiterite minerals in the zone namely zone 1 = (342.760 m2), zone 2 = (4001.770 m2), zone 3 = (372.876 m2).

Geosciences contributionin Kidang Cave Archaeological site Blora, Central Java - Indonesia

Research at Kidang Cave of karst region of Blora starting since 2005 and still on going up to now. Study results during excavation are artifacts, ekofak, features, skeleton (grave), and a fireplace. Archaeological findings show intensively inhabited in this cave for a long timeGeosciences of geology and geophysics approach which are applied in Kidang have an important role in guiding an excavation program in the site location. Conceptual geological model is reconstructed based on karst morphology analysis and sedimentology feature of adjacent area. The geophysical survey carried out in the Kidang cave area are ground penetrating radar (GPR), geolectrical and geomagnetic survey. In this paper we are demonstrated the integrated approach of geosciences approach in revealing subsurface condition of the archeological site. GPR is an effective method at dry and smooth terrain, hyperbolic feature is identify in difference amplitude and bright form. The geoelectrical survey is targeting more general feature of the sedimentary rock thickness, which reflected by resistivity value. The geomagnetic survey result is able to located some hard or higher density rock or archeological object, which is buried in the subsurface.

Integrating Remote Sensing and Geophysics for Exploring Early Nomadic Funerary Architecture in the “Siberian Valley of the Kings”

This article analyses the architecture of the Early Iron Age royal burial mound Tunnug 1 in the “Siberian Valley of the Kings” in Tuva Republic, Russia. This large monument is paramount for the archaeological exploration of the early Scythian period in the Eurasian steppes, but environmental parameters make research on site difficult and require the application of a diversity of methods. We thus integrate WorldView-2 and ALOS-2 remote sensing data, geoelectric resistivity and geomagnetic survey results, photogrammetry-based DEMs, and ortho-photographs, as well as excavation in order to explore different aspects of the funerary architecture of this early nomadic monument. We find that the large royal tomb comprises of a complex internal structure of radial features and chambers, and a rich periphery of funerary and ritual structures. Geomagnetometry proved to be the most effective approach for a detailed evaluation of the funerary architecture in our case. The parallel application of several surveying methods is advisable since dataset comparison is indispensable for providing context.