Search

The results of the geophysical surveys carried out in the city of Ugento, specifically in the St. Antonio area and into the Medieval Castle, are presented in this paper. The aim of this study is to integrate the results of Ground-Penetrating Radar and Electrical Resistivity Tomography surveys in order to support archaeological investigations aimed at the elaboration of a detailed archaeological map of the Messapian, Roman and Medieval settlement. Indeed, the obtained data were jointly analysed with archaeological data already known and were georeferenced on the general plans of the site in order to obtain an overall view of the anomalies detected by geophysical instrumentation and related to buried ancient structures. In particular, the geophysical surveys carried out in the St. Antonio area made it possible to reconstruct a stretch of the Messapian city walls and nearby necropolis, while the investigations inside the Castle allowed for the acquisition of very interesting data about previous phases dated to the Middle Ages (and maybe also the Messapian or Roman ages) and about the geo-morphological characteristics of the site.

The results of the geophysical surveys carried out in 2019 in the Abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate (Lecce) are presented in this paper. The objective of this study was to achieve a better knowledge of the site, since it was only partially investigated by small archaeological excavation samples. The geophysical measurements were conducted inside and outside the church in order to identify buried ancient structures, using both the georadar and geoelectrical survey methodologies. The results of GPR (ground-penetrating radar), ERT (electrical resistivity tomography) and IP (induced polarisation) were jointly analysed with archaeological data already known and were georeferenced on the general plans of the site in order to obtain an overall view of the anomalies detected by geophysical instrumentation and probably linked to buried ancient structures.

This paper reports the results of the integrated geophysical surveys performed inside the Monastery of St Chiara in Nardó in southern Italy. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) investigations were carried out to find the tomb of Sister Chiara D’Amato, whose location has been lost over the centuries. Sister Chiara Isabella D'Amato was a charismatic and holy figure. She died in 1693. She was buried inside the monastery but her body has never been found. The data acquisition was performed along with a series of closely spaced lines for GPR and using a non-standard array for ERT. Data were processed and visualised as two-dimensional vertical sections and depth slices or three-dimensional volumes (GPR and ERT) to allow an integrated interpretation of the geophysical results. The analysis of the geophysical data sets revealed a series of anomalies that could be ascribed possible archaeological structures, probably related to the earliest ages of the sacred building as well as other anomalies (bedrock, fractures) of presumable natural origin. In particular, one geophysical anomaly was suspected of being connected to burial and consequently further investigated with the use of a video endoscope. The results reveal the presence of a void but it has not yet been clarified whether it is the burial of Sister Chiara or not as it is awaiting the excavation.

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) mapping provides a three-dimensional analysis of archaeological features within the context of landscape studies. The method’s ability to measure the intensity of radar reflections from deep in the ground can produce images and maps of buried features not visible on the surface. A study was conducted in some areas near the Domus Romana in Rabat (Malta) in order to investigate the still uncovered archaeological structures. The purpose of the GPR survey was to guide the excavation operations (planned but postponed due to Covid-19) and to allow us to understand the development of the defensive walls of the city and any other structures related to the Roman mansion. The choice of the areas to be investigated was therefore guided both by previous archaeological excavations and by the considerations made above. The results obtained through the GPR made it possible to shed light on some of the aspects related to the questions posed by the archaeologists, highlighting part of the structures related to the defensive walls, part of the structures related to water supply and conservation and part of the wall structures related to the Roman mansion itself.

The archaeological site of Sagalassos is a very important settlement located in a magnificent mountain landscape, 7 km north from a village named Ağlasun (province of Burdur, south-west Turkey). Since 1990, the University of Leuven (Belgium) has carried out an interdisciplinary archaeological research program that studies >1000 years of uninterrupted human occupation in Sagalassos, concerning all historical aspects of daily life from architecture, to trade and its mechanisms and environmental conditions. The ancient Roman city is covered by layers of eroded soil that has preserved many secrets waiting to be revealed. A geophysical campaign was planned along the south facing terraces of the mountain slopes to highlight the structure of the city that remains covered in soil. Site conditions (high slope, high grass, several obstacles) and the need to investigate to depths greater than 20 m influenced the choice of geophysical methods; we chose to use both passive and active electrical resistivity tomography. Three different areas, labelled Area 1, Area 2 and Area 3, were investigated, with results revealing information about the location, depth, size and extent of buried archaeological features. Of particular interest is the presence of: (i) a deep depression in Area 1, thought to be a clay quarry; (ii) a number of tombs related to the Byzantine period in Area 2; and (iii) defensive walls in Area 3.

Ongoing and extensive urbanisation may threaten important archaeological structures that are still buried in urban areas. The ground penetrating radar (GPR) method is the most promising alternative for resolving buried archaeological structures in urban territories. This paper presents a case study that involves a geophysical survey employing the surface three-dimensional (3D) GPR techniques, in order to archaeologically characterise the investigated areas. The site is located in the south-western sector of the historical centre of Lecce (Apulia, Italy), where the modern city overlaps the main public monuments of the Roman municipiumof Lupiae, only partially preserved or excavated: the amphitheatre, the theatre, the baths and maybe also the Forum. GPR measurements, integrated with the results of archaeological excavations and the topographical surveys of the preserved remains, were carried out in several areas regarding sectors of the ancient roman city. The GPR data were collected along a dense network of parallel profiles. The GPR sections were processed applying specific filters to the data in order to enhance their information content. The GPR images significantly contributed in reconstructing the complex subsurface properties in these modern urban areas. Strong GPR reflections features were correlated with possible ancient structures and they were integrated in the digital archaeological map of the city.

This paper deals with the shape of the GPR diffraction curve in dependence of the distance of the measurement line from to the air/soil interface. It will be shown that the diffraction curve changes with respect to the case of data gathered at the air‐soil interface, and the calculation of the diffraction curve requires the solution of a fourth degree algebraic equation. The solution in closed form of this equation will be presented, and a physical discussion of the effects of the non‐null height of the observation line will be provided.

The coastal area Marina di Capilungo located ~50 km south-west of Lecce (Italy) is one of the sites at greatest geological risk in the Salento peninsula. In the past few decades, Marina di Capilungo has been affected by a series of subsidence events, which have led in some cases to the partial collapse of buildings and road surfaces. These events had both social repercussions, causing alarm and emergency situations, and economic ones in terms of the funds for restoration.With the aim of mapping the subsurface karstic features, and so to assess the dimensions of the phenomena in order to prevent and/or limit the ground subsidence events, integrated geophysical surveys were undertaken in an area of ~70 000 m2at Marina di Capilungo. Large volume voids such as karstic cavities are excellent targets for microgravity surveys. The absent mass of the void creates a quantifiable disturbance in the earth’s gravitational field, with the magnitude of the disturbance directly proportional to the volume of the void. Smaller shallow voids can be detected using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Microgravimetric and GPR geophysical methods were therefore used. An accurate interpretation was obtained using small station spacing and accurate geophysical data processing. The interpretation was facilitated by combining the modelling of the data with the geological and topographic information for explored caves. The GPR method can complement the microgravimetric technique in determining cavity depths and in verifying the presence of off-line features and numerous areas of small cavities, which may be difficult to be resolved with only microgravimetric data. However, the microgravimetric can complement GPR in delineating with accuracy the shallow cavities in a wide area where GPR measurements are difficult. Furthermore, microgravity surveys in an urban environment require effective and accurate consideration of the effects given by infrastructures, such as buildings, as well as those given by topography, near a gravity station. The acquired negative anomaly in the residual Bouguer anomalies field suggested the presence of possible void features. GPR and modelling data were used to estimate the depth and shape of the anomalous source.