Geophysical Case Study for Archaeological Impact Assessment at Fort Emma, Kanowit, Sarawak

Abstract

The primary purpose of this research is to collect data and save the archaeological context (material culture) in-situ before being disturbed by conservation activities and upgrading the site of Kubu Emma, Kanowit, Sarawak. This research applied a systematic and multidisciplinary method to obtain maximum data to solve the issue of historical chronology and archaeological context to strengthen further the culture that took place when this site since the reign of Rajah Brooke. The approach applied at this site is divided into three main stages, namely i) geophysical (GPR) and archaeological fieldwork and ii) laboratory analysis, and iii) data interpretation. In general, the results of the GPR survey show three soil layers: the L2 layer at a depth of 0.3–0.4 meters and the L3 layer at 1.0-1.2 meters. Determination of the building's foundation structure has shown that it is at a depth of no more than 0.6 meters deep. Excavations carried out in section A have revealed in-situ artifacts from spit six to spit 15 (50–60 cm), while in section B, artifacts were found at spit four and continued until spit 14. Among the archaeological context, evidence found are porcelain shards, stoneware shards, metal objects, glass shards, earthenware shards, and others.