Archeological studies require a precise and interdisciplinary approach. Use of the noninvasive methods in urban area investigations is expected because they do not result in any changes in land architecture plans. Very good combination fulfilling such demands are geochemical analyses of: pH, Eh, conductivity and heavy metals concentrations in soils and the results of the ground penetrating radar method. These methods allow for a more precise selection of places of interest and can be also used for a more accurate calibration and better interpretation of subsequent results. Proposed methodology gives good final results thanks to complementarity of each method and can be used under variable conditions.

The content of heavy metals, pH, Eh, and EC were measured for the Vistula River and its two tributaries, Prądnik-Białucha and Wilga, functioning as rainwater collectors for Krakow. Water sediments were collected from several inlets of the rainwater canals into the Prądnik-Białucha and Wilga. The Vistula was examined to catch the change of water environment quality of those two tributaries as well as storm overflow systems installed on both its left and right bank. In this last case the research was based on the bottom sediments of the storm overflow system, from its inlets into the Vistula River, and from the inside of the waste water collector. Also, samples of suspension and water were collected where the bridges are located and also near Dębnicki bridge bottom sediments. The sampling was conducted in 2004-2005 but because of financial constraints after ten years the tests were not repeated, but it was decided to publish the results. The attention was paid to the Cd and Pb content in the sediments of sanitary catch basins from the Wilga and the Prądnik, in Vistula sediments from storm overflow system, in the siphon, in the suspension of Vistula waters, and in fine-grain river silts.

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Abstract:The chemical composition of the Quaternary aquifer in Old Krakow was studied. Thirty water samples were collected from wells in the years 2002, 2009 and 2012. The water chemistry of groundwater in Old Krakow is associated mainly with anthropogenic impact. The water samples represent manly five-ion type: Ca-Na-Cl-HCO 3 -SO 4 , Ca-Na-Cl-SO 4 -HCO 3 and Ca-Na-HCO 3 -SO 4 -Cl, the multi-ion water type is typical for polluted water. The results of groundwater studies in Krakow between 2002 and 2012 showed that the chemical composition of water is being constantly affected by ancient human activities. The predominance of chloride and nitrate ions can be connected with a large number of the contamination sources. The main sources of contamination are accumulations of the anthropogenic soils and the cultural deposits containing organic, communal waste and sewage which were gathered in the oldest parts of Krakow.

Abstract:The main purpose of the interdisciplinary research described in the present paper is to determine the characteristics of ground environment changes in the Main Market Square area, and to compare these with analyses of metal artefacts. The elemental composition of metal artefacts and the degree of contamination of archaeological layers make it possible to consider both as specific indicators, including being geoindicators that are helpful in establishing the chronology of layers. Metalartefact samples come from archaeological layers originating from different parts of the Great Weigh House. Layers were sampled, both in this region and also in a neighbouring area at the entrance to Bracka Street -trench A. They were collected from an area of archaeological excavations, which were carried out in the years 2005-2010, reaching down to a depth of 4 meters. All artefacts come primarily from cultural layers and structures -probably linked to workshops in the early medieval settlement which functioned in the area of the Main Market Square in the 12 th and early 13 th century. However, archaeological analysis of historical material allowed us to more precisely date metal artefacts to the turn of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, which was confirmed by analysis of the radiocarbon age of a sample from Room R of the Great Scales, from layer 109. Average concentrations (mg/kg) of Pb of 128454 and Cu of 108610 were determined in this sample to the AAS, which significantly exceeded of the most concentration values characteristic of the layers from the Great Weigh House.

In the present study, application of complementary to each other non-invasive geophysical methods and geochemical slim hole drilling allowed to locate a small fragment of the historical water system, and to determine the type and stratigraphy of the sediments filling it. The most universal, and frequently used geophysical methods are electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and ground penetrating radar (GPR). These methods are characterized by high precision mapping of the investigated medium, and the possibility of implementation even in small areas. They play an important role in defining the location of archaeological excavations sites. The applied geophysical methods enabled precise and comprehensive analyses of near-surface zones in the area of Planty Park in Krakow (Poland), such as engineering/geological recognition, and detection of anthropogenic structures. As an important metropolis of Central Europe in the medieval period, Krakow due to rapid development of craft and trade had a high demand for water both for the general population and craftsmen. As a result, the city continuously developed and used a complex watercourse and sewage collection system. The layout of the system has not yet been accurately mapped. The authors decided that the ERT method was suitable for this case study. The study was conducted in the eastern part of Planty Park, near Dominikańska Street, measurements were taken using a two-dimensional (2D) parallel layout of ERT profiles. The authors also carried out a three-dimensional (3D) image interpretation process. Even though the ERT method is limited by the requirement of a minimal implementation area, it makes the detection of former watercourses possible. In order to verify the ERT results, three small-diameter mechanical holes drillings were carried for purpose of macroscopic analysis of the ground type with determination of its lithology and layer layout. On gathered samples laboratory measurements of pH, oxidation-reduction potential Eh, and conductivity EC were done. Figure 4. On the left: horizontal depth slices of resistivity for layers with moat sediments. On the right: two graphs showing the change of physical properties of the studied medium with differentiation of its layers. [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]

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