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Abstract: In the period of its great boom, i.e. between the fourteenth and the sixteenth centuries, Wiślica (a village in the southeast part of Poland) was one of the administrative capitals of Poland, an important centre of commerce and trade, as well as one of the most important centres of salt trade in the country. There is a hypothesis that underground chambers previously existed in Wiślica where salt was stored. This paper delineates archaeological, geological, and hydrogeological studies conducted in Wiślica and presents historical background with a particular focus on the salt trade. The main part of the paper consists of the results of geophysical studies carried out in the Solny Square, and the objective of the investigations was verification of the hypothesis of the existence of underground salt chambers. Three geophysical techniques were employed, i.e. ground penetrating radar (GPR), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and a micro‐gravimetric method. The GPR method was applied for examination of the near‐surface zone to find the remains of medieval shafts located over the underground chambers facilities. ERT and micro‐gravimetric methods were applied for detection of chambers or their remains located at depths from a few to a dozen or so metres. The results of geophysical surveys were correlated with information from boreholes. ERT and micro‐gravimetric data were correlated, which allowed the determination of three main anomalous regions located several metres under Solny Square. A control borehole was drilled in the central part of the largest geophysical anomaly and samples were collected to establish pH; the borehole data confirmed the existence of a depression in the rock mass filled with Quaternary material with alkaline pH. It is likely that two of three anomalies indicated the locations of remains of medieval underground salt chambers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper presents the results of geophysical research conducted in the region where the so called ‘Gold Train’ was believed to be located. The surveyed site was located in Wałbrzych, at the 65th kilometre of the railway connecting Wrocław and Wałbrzych. The aim of the research was to verify the legend of the existence of the so called ‘Gold Train’ that was supposed to be located in the tunnel. The ‘Gold Train’ was believed to contain Wrocław's treasures. Three geophysical methods were used. Microgravimetric and GPR (ground‐penetrating radar) methods were applied to locate the void (tunnel), while the search for the train (a metal object) was conducted with the use of a magnetic method. Detailed geodetic measurements were used, including, among others, laser scanning. Due to complex terrain and geological structure, the negative results of the microgravimetric research was conclusive only in respect of one of the profiles. Due to high attenuation of electromagnetic wave by a shallow geological structure the scope of the GPR method was limited, however it was sufficient to confirm that such a tunnel does not exist. Despite difficulties related to electric lines in the researched area, conclusive results were obtained using the magnetic method. No magnetic anomaly with a shape or amplitude indicative of a steel train was identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]