Scientific Coordinator: Dr. Salvatore Piro
Non-destructive ground surface geophysical prospecting methods are
increasingly used for the investigation of archaeological sites, where a
detailed physical and geometrical reconstruction of hidden ambients is
required prior to any excavation work. However, due to the often limited
dimensions and depth of the archaeological structures, it can be rather
difficult to individuate their position and extension because of the
generally low values of the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. It is possible to contrast such a shortcoming by improving data acquisition and processing methods and mainly by integrating the results obtained with different geophysical methods.
The probability of a successful investigation rapidly raises if a
consistent multi-methodological approach is adopted, according to the
logic of objective complementarity of information and global convergence
toward a high quality multiparametric imaging of the buried structures.
The fine representation of the static configuration of the bodies in the
subsoil and of the space-time evolution of the interaction processes
between targets and hosting materials have to be actually considered
fundamental elements of primary knowledge in archaeological prospecting.
The main effort in geophysical prospecting for archaeology is therefore
the integration of different, absolutely non-invasive techniques,
especially if managed in view of an ultra-high resolution three-
dimensional (3D) tomographic representation mode. One of the most useful method to obtain the high-resolution representation of the investigate volume of the sub-soil is the GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar); this method can be considered as a natural continuation of the Remote-Sensing approach.
An example of the application of this methodological approach is represented by the high-resolution GPR investigation of Traiano's Villa (Altopiani di Arcinazzo). Today, the only remains left standing at the site are the public building entrances comprising a small portion of the entire site. Over 10 hectares, adjacent to the entrance remains, were unsurveyed. As part of an ongoing study to rescue this national archaeological treasure, an extensive grid system was laid out at the site and high-resolution GPR surveys using a sub-meter profile spacings were conducted. Amplitude time-slice analysis indicates that many structural foundations of the villa are still well preserved below the ground surface.
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