Multi-Parametric Imaging of Etruscan Chamber Tombs: Grotte Di Castro Case Study (Italy)

Abstract

A multi-parametric approach that involves the use of different geophysical methods coupled with geochemical data allowed us to identify undiscovered archeological burials in a funerary area of the Grotte di Castro Etruscan settlement. In particular, we tested the suitability of the capacitive resistivity method and the presence of Radon in soil for the identification of burials calibrating their outcomes over coincident survey profiles with standard geophysical techniques routinely applied for archaeological prospections. Soil Radon data were acquired both in a grid and along a profile to highlight anomalous gas concentrations, whereas electrical resistivity and ground-penetrating radar measurements were conducted on overlapping profiles to depict the electrical and electromagnetic subsurface distribution. Data integration showed a series of anomalies, suggesting the presence of multiple burials starting from a depth of approximately 1.5 m below the terrain surface. Slight anomalies of Radon in the soil were found to correspond to most of the recovered geophysical ones. Our results pointed out the effectiveness of geophysical method integration in archeological prospecting with the novelty of the joint use of Radon in soil measurements and capacitive resistivity tomography. The latter provided reliable results and can be considered as a standalone technique in archaeological surveys.

Photogrammetry from UAV and Low-Cost Lidar for Sinkhole Hazard Mitigation in Urban Areas: Applications and Evaluations

“…Since the Etruscan and Roman Ages, these cavities have been excavated and, in different periods, often remodelled, enlarged and transformed for other uses, especially from the medieval era to the present. Specific archaeological and geophysical research has only been carried out on a limited number of them [29]. According to reports such as the Hydrogeological Structure Plan of "Autorità di Bacino Distrettuale dell'Appennino Centrale" and the Sinkhole susceptibility map of the Lazio Region [30], the entire area is potentially at risk due to these cavities.…”