A Multidimensional Research Strategy for the Evaluation of Settlement Pits: 3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography, Magnetic Prospection and Soil Chemistry

Abstract

Irrespective of the region and time period, settlement pits are common features at archaeological sites. Variations in shape, size and fill reflect great diversity in terms of primary and secondary functions. Careful analysis of these aspects and a pit's refilling history yield key information for the reconstruction of economic, social and chronological aspects of settlement history. At present, it is unusual for a settlement site to undergo complete excavation; in most cases, only small areas within a larger settlement are opened to archaeological inquiry and, accordingly, only a scarce few pits can be excavated. Therefore, the application of a combination of new prospection methods can help to classify and preselect representative pits for subsequent excavation in order to guarantee the highest information output. The interdisciplinary investigations at the Early Bronze Age of Fidvár in Slovakia enabled the development of just such a multidimensional research strategy for the evaluation of settlement pits. Used in concert, magnetic survey and electromagnetic prospection delivered 2D data which revealed the locations of pits at the site. This was the basis for the 3D electrical resistivity tomography measurements which followed, enabling the three-dimensional reconstruction of prehistoric pits' geometries. Supplementary sedimentological and geochemical investigations of the pits' contents revealed important information about the pits' former functions as well as the mechanisms of the processes through which they were filled in. Thus, the integrated approach provides us with a new means of obtaining an overview of pit assemblages at archaeological sites in general and demonstrates its potential for the acquisition of valuable information about the food acquisition and storage processes at Fidvár in specific.

Geophysical correlation: global versus local perspectives

“…Most geophysical surveys now employ multiple methods under the premise that each might reveal different aspects of the subsurface (Clay, ; Forte & Pipan, ; Nowaczinski et al, ). Indeed, Weymouth () long ago emphasized that many geophysical properties represent independent or nearly independent dimensions.…”

“…It is shown that high eigenvalues associated with first principal components that exhibit loadings in the same direction point to zones of mutually high parallel correlation. KEYWORDS data integration, geophysical correlation, Great War, local correlation, local PCA, multi-method surveys 1 | INTRODUCTION Most geophysical surveys now employ multiple methods under the premise that each might reveal different aspects of the subsurface (Clay, 2001;Forte & Pipan, 2008;Nowaczinski et al, 2015). Indeed, Weymouth (1986) long ago emphasized that many geophysical properties represent independent or nearly independent dimensions.…”

Archaeological geophysical survey of a Prehistoric Bronze Age site in Cyprus (Alambra Mouttes)—applications and limitations

“…The hearth in Trench 2 was much larger, about 1.8-2 m in diameter and comprised a low pise kerb with a plaster render with a heat well at the top, also against the wall. Based on the success for detecting hearths on other Bronze Age sites, it was anticipated that the gradiometer would pick up the burning associated within them (Nowaczinski et al 2015;Papadopoulos et al 2006;Urban et al 2014a, b). Although there is a moderate magnetic change with the hearth in Trench 10, there is only a weak magnetic anomaly in Trench 2's hearth.…”

Getting Around the Black Box: Teaching (Geophysical) Data Processing through GIS

“…Moreover, the GIS environment facilitates other common research endeavors in geophysical archaeology. For example, map algebra methods or principal components analysis, common within GIS, may be utilized to integrate geophysical data from multiple survey modalities, permitting "fusion" of their information for greater subsurface insights (e.g., Nowaczinski et al 2015). Coupled with the insights it offers in student training, these advantages further underscore the importance of GIS to geophysical endeavors in archaeology.…”

“…They are therefore ideal for application to geophysical data, all of which are spatial in character, our focus here. They have been routinely employed for organizing and visualizing geophysical data and merging results with other information (Neubauer 2004;Gallo et al 2009;Nowaczinski et al 2015). Many GIS offer a highly varied suite of complex spatial data handling and processing tools that permit a wide variety of manipulations.…”