In this paper we describe the application of GPR and resistivity (dipole-dipole) methods to an archeological investigation. The aim of this study was to obtain information about buried pre-Roman structures below the Roman residence “Casa dell’Atrio a Mosaico,” in the ancient town of Ercolano (Naples). A number of resistivity (dipole-dipole) and GPR profiles were carried out on the mosaic floor of the house. To perform resistivity profiles in a nondestructive way on the mosaic floor, special flat-base copper electrodes were used. The electrode spacing used was [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. GPR data were collected using [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] antennas. The radar profiles were carried out primarily along the electrical profiles in order to obtain a direct comparison between the two methods. Both resistivity and GPR methods evidenced a number of structures buried at shallow depths. Both methods located a structure identified as a conductive body with electric parameters strongly contrasting those of the surrounding material. The archaeological interpretation of such structures is in terms of remnants of walls of pre-Roman houses and of a cistern used for collecting rain, connected to a pipe.
The range of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) applications is very wide and diverse. GPR provides high-resolution continuos profiles, and has been used in various fields (environmental problems, geology, geotechnical engineering, archaeology etc.). This paper describes a test application of GPR in an urban area (Mesagne, Apulia, Italy) for the detection of underground water pipes and to obtain a map of the moisture in the ground around them. Some authors have proven that GPR can be used effectively, although only as a reconnaissance tool, for studies of moisture in the subsurface. Electromagnetic wave velocity in the subsurface depends on moisture via the dielectric properties of the wet material. The free volumetric water content can be determined from the dielectric constant of subsurface terrain by an empirical relation proposed by Topp et al. (1980). GPR wave velocity determination can be carried out by means of several methods. In this paper the hyperbolic anomalies caused by small inhomogeneities and underground water pipes have been considered. The velocity analysis permitted a qualitative estimation of the volumetric water content near the pipe network and the location of possible leaks.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.