The archaeological site of Tell Toukh El-Qaramous, which is located to the south of Abu Kebir, Sharkiya Governorate, was subjected to detailed geophysical studies using magnetic vertical gradient and geoelectric resistivity survey. The success of these surveys depends on the contrast in the physical properties between the dominant sedimentary deposits (clays and sands) and the buried archeological constructions. The area of study occupies about 80 acres at present. It was subjected firstly to a regional geophysical survey to discover the subsurface conditions above one of the most important military fortress that had been constructed to be vanguard of the eastern entry to Egypt during the Ptolemaic age (323-30 BC). Detailed gridded magnetic (0.5 m grid interval) and geoelectric resistivity surveys (2 m grid interval) were also carried out at a selected site of about 50 ð 100 m according to the recommendations of the archaeologists who periodically carried out excavation of the archaeological remains. Such surveys could help mapping of the anomalous features that probably reflect the buried archaeological remains.The integrated results of the magnetic gradient images obtained as well as apparent resistivity maps for depths ranges from 1 to 5 m gave fascinating results. The results indicate that the Tell-Toukh El-Qaramous has been built on a buried sand gezira. Also, groups of ancients walls made of mud bricks and some interesting locations of archeological buried artefacts have been delineated. Both the magnetic and resistivity data supported each other and are in good agreement for the same locations of archeological interest.

The authors present preliminary results of geophysical and palynological reconnaissance at the Tell El Dabaa, eastern Nile Delta. The geophysical survey reveals the presence of floodbasins, levees and channel deposits. Low palynomorph concentrations probably result from the high sedimentation rate and mean that further work is needed on the methods for palynological study in the region.

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The ancient Egyptian Abedju (original name of the present Abydos) locality is a famous archaeological site southwest of Balyana town, Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. It is located to the west of the agricultural land of the Nile Valley. The locality represents one of the most important burial grounds for kings and high court dignitaries in ancient Egypt. Shallow geophysical techniques are considered as one of the most accurate and cost‐effective methods used in archaeological prospecting and are considered as rapid and safe techniques in detecting a wide range of buried archaeological features. The geoelectric resistance scanning technique, using the Geoscan RM‐15 Resistance Meter, is applied with a twin‐electrode configuration at three sites of the unexcavated localities of Abydos area. This technique proved to be a useful means of exploring the sites through mapping the subsurface burial inhomogeneities resulting from the marked resistance contrast between the buried stone and brick walls and the covering fill of sand, silt and clay. Interesting different buried features are imaged and displayed on maps and three‐dimensional representations to guide the archaeological excavation programmes at the sites of Umm El‐Qaab, Shunet El‐Zebib and Kom El‐Sultan within the Abydos region. At the Umm El‐Qaab site the combined interpretation of the tomography resistance ranges and maps indicate buried walls and rubble as well as an amorphous background area. At the Shunet El‐Zebib site, the texture of the images, which show scattered and crowded high‐resistance anomalies, confirms the existence of buried tombs at the site, which is surrounded by defence walls. Thus, this site was not a fortress or a palace, but a special cemetery for higher dignitaries. Kom El‐Sultan, however, shows a concentration of high‐resistance anomalies at the northern part. Thus, these may be related to walls and rubble related to a nearby elevated temple. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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