Microgravity method in archaeological prospection: methodical comments on selected case studies from crypt and tomb detection

Abstract

Detailed and precise measurement of the Earth's gravity field (microgravity method) can be effectively used for the detection and quantification of subsurface voids and/or cavities. There exist a variety of successful applications of the microgravity method in near surface geophysics, namely in geotechnical, environmental and archaeological prospection. Using state-of-the-art 'microgal' relative gravity meters, cavities of several metres in each dimension (positioned at a similar depth) can be detected and interpreted. Such objects produce negative anomalies with amplitudes of several tens of microGals (1 microGal = 10 −8 m s −2). This contribution is focused on a methodological overview of the most important acquisition and processing steps in archaeological microgravimetry. In the processing of acquired gravimetrical data into a Bouguer anomaly, the so-called building correction plays an important role, because the gravitational effect of building masses can produce false, usually negative anomalies. Several selected methods for quantitative interpretation are presented, these are based on depth estimation and density modelling. These interpretation methods give satisfactory results in the case of these type of negative anomalies that are caused by subsurface cavities. Microgravimetry can obtain good support from electromagnetic and electrical methods, mainly from ground penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography, respectively. Finally, we present successful case-studies of microgravimetrical detection of crypts in various churches from the Middle Ages and period of Modern History, surveyed during recent decades in Slovakia and Czechia.

Experiences from microgravity and GPR surveys for subsurface cavities detection – case studies from SW- and central Slovakia

“…Microgravity data were processed in a form of incomplete Bouguer anomalies, where the so-called building corrections (removal of the gravity effect of the building masses) are very important (e.g. Pašteka et al 2020). Results from both methods (GPR and microgravimetry) were interpreted together in a joint qualitative and quantitative interpretation.…”

“…Beside geoelectrical methods, microgravimetry represents a very important tool for the detection of cavities -due to their intensive density contrast with surrounding soils and rocks (e.g. Pašteka et al 2020). Very effective is a joint use of these two methods, as it has been shown in many studies (e.g.…”