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The Easternmost Mediterranean is a transition region from the ocean to the continent where the spreading and collision zones of the lithospheric plates join. The methodology of paleomagnetic mapping of the transition zones is based on combining geological and geophysical techniques for continental and oceanic platforms: magnetic data interpretation, paleomagnetic reconstructions, results of magnetized rock radiometric dating, satellite data analysis, tectonic–structural reconstructions, biogeographical studies, and utilization of different geophysical survey results. The satellite-derived gravity map reflects practically all significant tectonic units in the region, which assists us in the supposed paleomagnetic mapping. The satellite-derived and aeromagnetic maps with the tectonic features and the map of Curie discontinuity of Israel indicate the complexity of this region. Advanced magnetic data analysis supported by paleomagnetic data attraction and other geological–geophysical methods allowed the revealing of the block of oceanic crust with the Kiama paleomagnetic zone relating to the Early Permian age. A narrow reversely magnetized Earth crust block was revealed in the Lower Galilee. Some examples of advanced magnetic anomaly analysis are presented for several areas where the magnetization vector inclination is other than the modern direction: the Sea of Galilee, Carmel, Rosh-Ha-Ayin, Malqishon, and Hebron. In Israeli land, for the combined paleomagnetic mapping, the well-studied using paleomagnetic and radiometric methods (as well as tectonic–structural) areas were selected: (1) Makhtesh Ramon, (2) the Sea of Galilee with the adjoining zones, (3) Carmel, (4) Hula, and (5) Hermon. It is shown that the regional analysis of paleomagnetic data distribution played an essential role in detecting the influence of the recently recognized counterclockwise rotating mantle structure on the near-surface layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The easternmost Mediterranean is a distinct transition zone from the ocean to the continent located at the junction between the largest Earth's lithospheric segments: Eurasian and African. The methodology of paleomagnetic mapping of such transition zones is based on integrating the mapping techniques for both continental and oceanic platforms: paleomagnetic reconstructions, results of radiometric dating of magnetized rocks, tectonic-structural reconstructions, biogeography, and utilization of the results of various geophysical surveys. The geodynamic-paleomagnetic mapping makes it possible to reveal the multilevel structural heterogeneity and display complex elements of the geodynamics of different ages inherent in this transition zone. The region of northern Israel is the most complex area in the easternmost Mediterranean. For the combined paleomagnetic mapping, well-studied paleomagnetically and radiometrically areas were selected: (1) the Carmel area, (2) the Atlit area (internal part of the Carmel area), (3) the Sea of Galilee with the adjoining zones (primarily, the Kinnarot Valley), and (4) the area of the Hula Basin with adjacent areas of the Golan Plateau, Hermon Mt., and Galilea uplift. The constructed paleomagnetic profiles for the Carmel area (on the top of the accumulative surface of the Lower Cretaceous traps) and the Kinnarot Valley—Sea of Galilee—Hula Basin, evidently indicate the complex history of the paleogeodynamic evolution of the region. These studies demonstrate the effectiveness of paleomagnetic mapping integrated with paleomagnetic profiles crossing these geologically complex areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies demonstrate the effectiveness of integrated archaeo-geophysical tools in resolving various geological-environmental challenges. This involves combining geophysical methods in archaeological fieldwork or remote sensing methods for preliminary survey and analysis of archaeological sites, potentially enhanced by machine learning techniques to estimate object shapes and characteristics. This study highlights the potential of employing informational and probabilistic approaches as optimal tools for evaluating and integrating critical information for archaeological research. Our proposed procedure for assessing the reliability of tools or toolsets is based on improved methodologies utilizing conditional probability, which were suggested in previous authors' publications. We illustrate examples of combining remote sensing, known for its low cost, portability, and effectiveness in initial archaeological site identification, with machine learning methods to locate and discover new sites in archaeologically well-studied areas in Israel. Subsequently, we conduct an informational assessment of remote sensing data and propose steps to correlate this data with other geophysical information probabilistically. • Applying an information-probabilistic approach increases the quality, quantity, and associated parameters of geoscientific information. • Based on the information approach, Remote Sensing analysis can be numerically integrated with other geophysical and environmental studies. • Advanced Remote Sensing applications in Northern and Southern Israel enabled the discovery of earlier unknown archaeological targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microgravity investigations are widely applied at present for solving various environmental and geological problems. Unfortunately, microgravity survey is comparatively rarely used for searching for hidden ancient targets. It is caused mainly by small geometric size of the desired archaeological objects and various types of noise complicating the observed useful signal. At the same time, development of modern generation of field gravimetric equipment allows to register promptly and digitally microGal (10-8 m/s2) anomalies that offer a new challenge in this direction. An advanced methodology of gravity anomalies analysis and modern 3D modeling, intended for ancient targets delineation, is briefly presented. It is supposed to apply in archaeological microgravity the developed original methods for the surrounding terrain relief computing. Calculating second and third derivatives of gravity potential are useful for revealing some closed peculiarities of the different Physical-Archaeological Models (PAMs). It is underlined that physical measurement of vertical gravity derivatives in archaeological studying has a significant importance and cannot be replaced by any transformation methods. Archaeological targets in Israel have been ranged by their density/geometrical characteristics in several groups. The performed model computations indicate that microgravity investigations might be successfully applied at least in 20-25% of archaeological sites in Israel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of the man on Earth is directly associated with the determination of directions of the flow distribution of the ancient man dispersal to adjacent territories. In such studies, mainly landscape and climatological changes are traditionally considered. We suggest that along with the above factors, regional tectonic-geodynamic factors played a dominant role in the character of dispersal. The considered African-Levantine-Caucasian region is one of the most geologically complex regions of the world, where collisional and spreading processes of geodynamics converge. For the first time, we determined an essential influence of the Akchagylian hydrospheric maximum (about 200 m above the mean sea level) limiting the early dispersal of hominins from Africa to Eurasia. We propose that the Levantine Corridor emerged after the end of the Akchagylian transgression and landscape forming in the Eastern Mediterranean. This corridor location was formed by the movements between the Dead Sea Transform and the boundary of the carbonate platform of the Mesozoic Terrane Belt. Further landscape evolution was largely determined by the geodynamic behavior of the deep mantle rotating structure occurring below the central part of the region under study. All the mentioned events around and in the Levantine Corridor have been studied in detail on the basis of the combined geodynamic, paleogeographic, and paleomagnetic analyses performed in northern Israel (Carmel Uplift and Galilee Plateau). Careful studies of the Evron Quarry geological section indicate that it is unique for the dating of marine and continental archaeological sequences and sheds light on the early dispersal of hominins along the Levantine Corridor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of magnetic sources occurring in the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) and around the lake cause a complex pattern of anomalous magnetic field. Positive and negative magnetic anomalies in the Kinneret basin correspond to basalts of normal and reverse magnetization, respectively. Using interpretation methods specially developed for complicated geological conditions (improved versions of characteristic point, tangent, and areal methods), we determined the quantitative parameters of the anomalous bodies and performed their classification. We applied 3-D magnetic field modeling techniques for confirming the data obtained during the quantitative interpretation stage and the effects computing from geological structures. We showed that the paleomagnetic zones identified in the lake basin are in accordance with the western and northern margins of Lake Kinneret, but are incongruent with the eastern and southern margins. Based on radiometric and paleomagnetic data analysis, we can conclude that Early Pliocene basaltic flows cover the western part of Lake Kinneret. A N-S paleomagnetic profile suggests that the western part of the Lake Kinneret depression may be interpreted as an inversion trough formed in the area of Pliocene uplift in the eastern part of the Galilee. We applied combined geophysical, structural, and tectonic analysis to compile a structural map of the Cover Basalt for Lake Kinneret and adjacent areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-potential (SP) method is one of the most non-expensive and unsophisticated geophysical methods. However, its application limits absence of reliable interpreting methodology, first for the complex geological–environmental conditions. The typical disturbances appearing in the SP method and ways for their removing (elimination) are discussed. Some brief review of the available interpretation methods indicates their insufficient effectivity, especially for the complex environments. For the magnetic method of geophysical prospecting, special quantitative procedures applicable under non-trivial environments (oblique polarization, rugged relief and unknown level of the normal field) have been recently developed. Performed analysis allowed to revealing some essential common peculiarities between the magnetic and SP fields. These common aspects make it possible to apply the advanced procedures developed in magnetic prospecting to SP method. Besides the reliable determination of the depth of anomalous target, these methodologies enable to calculate the polarization effect and corrections for the non-horizontal SP observations. For classification of SP anomalies is supposed to employ a new parameter—'self-potential moment'. These procedures (improved modifications of characteristic point and tangent techniques) have been successfully tested on SP models and employed in the real situations in various archaeological sites in Israel. The present paper generalizes the earlier performed studies. The obtained results indicate the practical importance of the developed methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]