Two geophysical methods were used for mapping the archaeological features at Qantir village: magnetic and resistivity surveys. The magnetic survey was carried out before the resistivity survey in order to evaluate the distribution of hidden archaeological features and cultural relics. It was conducted over an area of 120 ð 100 m using a fluxgate gradiometer (Geoscan FM36) that measures the vertical gradient of the geomagnetic field. The readings were logged every 0.5 m along 20 m, zigzag traverses. The resultant data were processed and treated to produce a high-quality magnetic image. The final magnetogram and graphical interpretation plot show the distribution of high and low magnetic features that reflect the buried archaeological and nonarchaeological features. Subsequently, a resistivity survey was carried out over interesting areas identified from the initial results of the magnetogram. Four Wenner profiles were also measured, named P1W, P2W, P3W and P4W. The minimum electrode spacing used through all the profiles was 1 m and the maximum electrode spacing varied from one profile to another according to its length. These data were used to construct four apparent resistivity pseudosections. A comparison between the magnetic vertical gradient profile and resistivity inverse models was performed in order to check the value of using the Wenner configuration in parallel with the gradiometer survey. The geophysical investigation mapped some archaeological features with a high probability of indicating the presence of storage and burial chambers, bisecting walls, ditches and streets.
The archaeological site of Tell Toukh El-Qaramous, which is located to the south of Abu Kebir, Sharkiya Governorate, was subjected to detailed geophysical studies using magnetic vertical gradient and geoelectric resistivity survey. The success of these surveys depends on the contrast in the physical properties between the dominant sedimentary deposits (clays and sands) and the buried archeological constructions. The area of study occupies about 80 acres at present. It was subjected firstly to a regional geophysical survey to discover the subsurface conditions above one of the most important military fortress that had been constructed to be vanguard of the eastern entry to Egypt during the Ptolemaic age (323-30 BC). Detailed gridded magnetic (0.5 m grid interval) and geoelectric resistivity surveys (2 m grid interval) were also carried out at a selected site of about 50 ð 100 m according to the recommendations of the archaeologists who periodically carried out excavation of the archaeological remains. Such surveys could help mapping of the anomalous features that probably reflect the buried archaeological remains.The integrated results of the magnetic gradient images obtained as well as apparent resistivity maps for depths ranges from 1 to 5 m gave fascinating results. The results indicate that the Tell-Toukh El-Qaramous has been built on a buried sand gezira. Also, groups of ancients walls made of mud bricks and some interesting locations of archeological buried artefacts have been delineated. Both the magnetic and resistivity data supported each other and are in good agreement for the same locations of archeological interest.
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