Electrical and magnetic methods in archaeological prospection

Schmidt, Armin

doi:10.1201/9780203889558.pt2

Cited by 26 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The geophysical surveys began with soil electrical resistivity [56,58,59] testing in the central area of the site, where the presence of a metallic radio antenna and large metallic objects (hooks anchoring the antenna, and a topographic benchmark) ruled out the rest of the non-invasive methods. The survey was carried out using a Geoscan RM15 resistance meter system, one of the most used in such undertakings, deployed in a twin-probe array.…”

Section: Earth Resistance Surveymentioning

confidence: 99%

Inside a Cucuteni Settlement: Remote Sensing Techniques for Documenting an Unexplored Eneolithic Site from Northeastern Romania

Asăndulesei

2017

Remote Sensing

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This paper presents recent results of an integrated non-invasive investigation carried out in a previously unexplored settlement from northeastern Romania, belonging to the last great Eneolithic civilisation of Old Europe, the Cucuteni-Trypillia cultural complex. Although there is a long history of research concerning this culture, at only a handful of sites has archaeological research completed a comprehensive planimetric image. This makes it impossible to determine a typological evolution of the internal organisation of Cucutenian sites, both diachronically, across the three great phases of the culture (A, A−B and B for the Romanian area), and spatially, from SE Transylvania to the Republic of Moldova, and towards the steppes of the Ukraine. Accordingly, in certain environmental conditions, many essential behavioural aspects of Cucutenian communities are far from understood. Consequently, the generalisation and integration of non-invasive prospecting methods-Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), aerial photography, earth resistivity, magnetometry, and their integration through Geographic Information System (GIS)-clearly represents a feasible alternative for deciphering the Cucuteni culture. These complementary investigation methods were applied for this case study, emphasis being put on the conjoint use of datasets from each technique. On the basis of results recently obtained from the Rȃzboieni-Dealul Mare/Dealul Boghiu site, innovative characteristics are described concerning intra-site spatial organisation, a typology of the fortification systems, the existence of ritual or delimitation ditches, and the presence of habitations outside fortified areas.

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Section: Earth Resistance Surveymentioning

confidence: 99%

Inside a Cucuteni Settlement: Remote Sensing Techniques for Documenting an Unexplored Eneolithic Site from Northeastern Romania

Asăndulesei

2017

Remote Sensing

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“…The equipment used was a Grad601 fluxgate gradiometer from Bartington (Bartington and Chapman 2004;H immler et al 2008 ;Schmidt 2008 ). M ost of the time it w as used in grid mode, adapting the grid to the variable dimensions of the land plots.…”

Section: Geomagnetic Surveymentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiografía de un castro de la Edad del Hierro: arqueología no invasiva en el asentamiento de Villasviejas del Tamuja (Botija, Cáceres)

et al. 2019

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The aim of this paper is to present the progress that has been made in the study of the hillfort of V illasviej as del Tamuj a (Botij a, in the province of Cá ceres), based on a combination of non-destructive techniq ues. The possibility of cross-referencing the results obtained w ith different geophysical methods (magnetometry, georadar and electric tomography) raises the opportunity to formulate a reliable diagnosis on the spatial organiz ation of this site. The most relevant results are described, and their contribution to a general interpretation of the urban structure and morphology of domestic spaces is analyz ed. This information is contrasted w ith previously available ex cavation data and its framing is analysed w ithin the ex isting k now ledge on this type of settlements. In addition, elements of interest about the diachronic evolution of the site are added, w hich are relevant in relation to the hypotheses formulated about the impact of the R oman conq uest. U ltimately, the potential of this type of research strategy for the study and revaluation of large and complex archaeological z ones is considered.

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“…However, the first tests confirmed what had already been experienced in similar contexts where magnetometer surveys in particular have proven successful in detecting structural remains composed of material of sedimentary origin (Benech, 2007;Strutt, 2007). Since the soil matrix is derived from magnetically enhanced archaeological deposits and colluvia, good results are possible (Schmidt, 2009;Strutt, 2009, 7). In addition, earlier excavation work had shown that the burial depth of many archaeological remains starts at a depth of about −25 cm and that the remains of walls were especially well preserved at Ammaia.…”

Section: Geophysical Prospectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surveying the Townscape of Roman Ammaia in Portugal: An Integrated Geoarchaeological Investigation of the Forum Area

2012

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Geoarchaeological research, integrating traditional excavations, and ground truthing with intensive geophysical surveys, aerial photography, and GIS‐based data processing, has revealed the full intramural plan of the abandoned Roman city of Ammaia in central Portugal. Although this multidisciplinary effort also focussed on understanding the town/territory relationships and the system of resource exploitation, this paper presents the most important results from fieldwork in the central monumental area of the town, the Roman Forum. Here, excavations, geomorphological survey, and an array of geophysical methods illuminate the long history of the site, from the first settlement and monument‐building phases in early Imperial times, to the ongoing post‐abandonment processes. This paper discusses some of the benefits of compiling these complementary data sets and proposes the use of a wide array of approaches in order to achieve full understanding of the complex topography and evolution of a classical urban site. It further demonstrates the need for effective stratigraphical control and geomorphological analysis of crucial areas revealed by high‐quality geophysics.

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Electrical and magnetic methods in archaeological prospection

Cited by 26 publications

References 14 publications

Inside a Cucuteni Settlement: Remote Sensing Techniques for Documenting an Unexplored Eneolithic Site from Northeastern Romania

Inside a Cucuteni Settlement: Remote Sensing Techniques for Documenting an Unexplored Eneolithic Site from Northeastern Romania

Radiografía de un castro de la Edad del Hierro: arqueología no invasiva en el asentamiento de Villasviejas del Tamuja (Botija, Cáceres)

Surveying the Townscape of Roman Ammaia in Portugal: An Integrated Geoarchaeological Investigation of the Forum Area

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