Geophysical Signatures of a Roman and Early Medieval Necropolis

Quesnel, Yoann; Jrad, Akil; Mocci, Florence; Gattacceca, J.; Mathé, P.-E.; Parisot, Jean-Claude; Hermitte, Daniel; Dumas, Vincent; Dussouillez, Philippe; Walsh, Kevin; Miramont, Cécile; Bonnet, Stéphane; Uehara, Minoru

doi:10.1002/arp.411

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…A computer-inversion programme (Res2Dinv; Loke, 2003) including the topography generates images of resistivity distribution along a cross-section below the survey line. ERT has been successfully used in various sub-surface field studies, especially in geomorphology (Beauvais et al, 2007; Ghilardi et al, 2017) and archaeology (Ghilardi et al, 2015; Quesnel et al, 2011; Siart et al, 2010). In this study, a 2D-resistivity tomography was obtained using the ABEM Lund Imaging System (Terrameter LS/4channel) with an array of 64 electrodes with a Schlumberger–Wenner reciprocal layout protocol.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

First evidence of a lake at Ancient Phaistos (Messara Plain, South-Central Crete, Greece): Reconstructing paleoenvironments and differentiating the roles of human land-use and paleoclimate from Minoan to Roman times

et al. 2018

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Phaistos was one of the most important Minoan palaces in Crete and previous studies have addressed its relationship with the paleo-seashore position during historical times. Here, we reconstruct the environmental evolution of Phaistos from Early Minoan to Roman times. Study of two stratigraphic sections and nine boreholes drilled in the westernmost part of the Messara Plain has revealed the stratigraphy of the Mid- to Late-Holocene sediments. Laboratory analyses comprise granulometry, magnetic susceptibility measurements and identification of mollusks, diatoms and pollen grains. Eighteen radiocarbon dates provide a robust chronostratigraphy. In addition, a geophysical survey (electric resistivity tomography (ERT) method) was conducted to reveal the sub-surface morphology in the coring area. The results reveal that a freshwater lake existed from ca. 2100–2000 BC to ca. 1200–1100 BC, which subsequently became swampland until ca. 700 BC. A lake retreat is identified at ca. 1200–1000 BC and can be interpreted as resulting from the 3.2 cal kyr BP rapid climate change (RCC) dry event, observed elsewhere in the Eastern Mediterranean. Subsequently, from the 7th to the 5th century BC, there was the input of detrital material and fluvial dynamics prevailed until at least Roman times. The origin of the lake and its disappearance are discussed in the context of regional climate change and local tectonic activity, without excluding possible human influences. We also reconstruct the vegetation history for the period from the Late Minoan to the Early Archaic period. Pollen analysis reveals a Mediterranean maquis landscape dominated by Olea, together with hygrophilous vegetation, and highlights a clear transition from limnic to swampy environmental conditions around 1100 BC. The pollen sequence is also important for assessing the impact of the 3.2 cal. kyr BP RCC event and for assessing the possibility of an abrupt discontinuity in human activity around Phaistos after the demise of the Minoan Civilization.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

First evidence of a lake at Ancient Phaistos (Messara Plain, South-Central Crete, Greece): Reconstructing paleoenvironments and differentiating the roles of human land-use and paleoclimate from Minoan to Roman times

et al. 2018

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“…A computer-inversion programme (Res2Dinv, Loke, 2003) including the topography generates images of resistivity distribution on a cross section below the survey line. ERT has been successfully used in various sub-surface field surveys, particularly in geomorphology (Van Dam, 2012; Beauvais et al, 2007) and archaeology (Siart et al, 2010;Quesnel et al, 2011, Vella, et al, 2013Ghilardi et al, 2015). In the present study, 2D-resistivity tomography was obtained by employing the ABEM Lund Imaging System (SAS4000 + ES1064) with an array of 64 electrodes using a Schlumberger-Wenner reciprocal layout protocol.…”

Section: Geophysical Survey: Electric Resistivity Tomography (Ert)mentioning

confidence: 98%

Reconstructing the landscape evolution and the human occupation of the Lower Sagone River (Western Corsica, France) from the Bronze Age to the Medieval period

Ghilardi

Istria²,

Currás

et al. 2017

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

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This paper aims to reconstruct the landscape evolution together with the vegetation history of the lower Sagone Valley, Western Corsica, which was occupied from the Bronze Age to the Medieval Period. Adopting a geoarchaeological approach, the combination of sedimentological, palynological, and geophysical data enables the reconstruction of various stages in the landscape evolution of the Lower Sagone River over the last 4000 years, together with the history of human occupation. The methods consist of a palaeoenvironmental study of 9 boreholes drilled in the modern deltaic plain, at a maximum distance of 500 m from the presentday shoreline. The laboratory analyses included mollusk identification and measurements of the grain-size distribution (by wet sieving). A series of 21 radiocarbon dates on charcoal, plant remains, wood fragments, and marine mollusk samples formed the basis for a chronostratigraphy. In order to reconstruct the vegetation history of the catchment, with particular attention to anthropogenic activity, pollen analysis was conducted on clay samples from the deepest borehole, and they revealed a semi-open forest during the Bronze Age and Late Iron Age with extensive pastoral activity and limited cereal cultivation. Electric Resistivity Tomography (ERT) of 3 profiles across the alluvial plain was conducted in order to reveal the geometry of the sedimentary bodies. The salient features are the presence of a freshwater lake during the Mid-to Late Bronze Age (from 1500 to 1100 cal. BCE), its transformation into an open marine bay from ca. 1100 until 500 cal. BCE, and the formation of a confined lagoon from 500 cal. BCE to 200 cal. CE.

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“…As reported by many authors [e.g. Brizzo-lari et al 1992, Cardarelli et al 2008, Quesnel et al 2011, these techniques are non-destructive, fast and quite inexpensive. Cammarano et al [1998] used a multi-methodological approach (Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), self potential and magnetometric methods) in the Sabine Necropolis in Rome, Italy, to evidence structures through the study of different parameters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some years later Cardarelli et al [2008] investigated a new area in the same necropolis using ERT, Fluxgate and GPR methods. Furthermore, Quesnel et al [2011] used ERT and magnetic measurements to evidence a roman -early medieval necropolis in Provence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geology and geophysics at the archeological park of Vulci (central Italy)

Marchetti

Sapia

Garello³

et al. 2014

Annals of Geophysics

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<p>The Vulci archeological site was object of interest by the Soprintendenza ai beni culturali dell’Etruria meridionale (Italian government department responsible for southern Etruria’s cultural heritage) since the beginning of the 20th century. In 2001, the Ministero dei Beni Culturali (Italian ministry of cultural heritage) along with the local authorities, opened a natural-archeological park. In this area, it lies most of the ancient Etruscan city of Velch (today known by its Latin name, Vulci) including the Osteria Necropolis that is the object of this study. Recently, new archaeological excavations were made and the local authorities needed major geological information about the volcanic lithotypes where the Etruscans used to build their necropolis. The aim of this study is to define the geological and geophysical characteristics of the rock lithotypes present in the Vulci park. For this purpose, a geological map of the area (1:10000) has been realized. Moreover, two different geophysical methods were applied: measurements of magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity tomography. Magnetic susceptibility analyses clearly identify magnetic contrasts between different lithotypes; the characteristics of the pyroclastic flow that originated the Sorano unit 2 and its vertical facies variations are well recorded by this parameter that along with lithostratigraphic observations provides information about the depositional conditions. Two electrical resistivity tomographies were performed, which show the Sorano unit 2 thickness to be of c. 7 m with resistivity values ranging from 200 to 400 Ω·m. This kind of multidisciplinary approach resulted to be suitable to study this type of archaeological sites, revealing that areas characterized by a relevant thickness and wide areal extension of volcanic lithotypes can be a potential site where Etruscans might have excavated their necropolis.</p>

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Geophysical Signatures of a Roman and Early Medieval Necropolis

Cited by 14 publications

References 13 publications

First evidence of a lake at Ancient Phaistos (Messara Plain, South-Central Crete, Greece): Reconstructing paleoenvironments and differentiating the roles of human land-use and paleoclimate from Minoan to Roman times

First evidence of a lake at Ancient Phaistos (Messara Plain, South-Central Crete, Greece): Reconstructing paleoenvironments and differentiating the roles of human land-use and paleoclimate from Minoan to Roman times

Reconstructing the landscape evolution and the human occupation of the Lower Sagone River (Western Corsica, France) from the Bronze Age to the Medieval period

Geology and geophysics at the archeological park of Vulci (central Italy)

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