Complementary integrated geophysical investigation around Al‐Zayyan temple, Kharga oasis, Al‐Wadi Al‐Jadeed (New Valley), Egypt

Abstract

Qasr Al-Zayyan or Al-Zayyan temple in Al-Kharga oasisis documented as a node in the fortress chain that wasbuilt by the Romansto secure Darb Al-Arbain; the slaver'strade caravanroutebetween Asyuit and Sudan.The historical and archaeological background of the temple isvery scarce; it has been ascribed to Amenebis and was restored during the reign of Emperor Antoninus AD 138^161. In March 2001, an integrated ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic survey to the west of the temple showed the possibility ofan existing structural complex intersecting the present temple at about 45.It wasinterpretedasamultigate structureoratomb complex.In March 2002, therelativetopographicelevations were measured and the surface archaeological features were marked on a map. Also a complementary integrated geophysical survey including electromagnetic, geomagnetic and GPR was conducted along northern and western extensions of, and partially covering, the formerly prospected structure in the survey of 2001. It was designed to verify the structure, to define its extent on both the northern and western sides, and to decide about a possible excavation.The results verified the formerly prospected structure of 2001; some of its particular features have been detected.The structure therefore has been mapped over the surveyed area at the northern and western parts of the 2001structure and it might extend wider than the surveyed area.The former proposition of a multigate structure becomes stronger because of its general appearance, and the idea of a tomb complex still exists owing to the presence of some depressions thought to be graves.

Investigate the layout and age of a large‐scale mausoleum in Hangzhou, China using combined geophysical technologies and archaeological documents

“…Geophysical techniques are widely used to investigate the subsoil for the detection of features of archaeological interest (Deiana, Leucci, & Martorana, 2018; Gaffney, 2008; Liu, Shi, Wang, & Yu, 2018; Shi et al, 2015; Shi, Hobbs, Max, Tian, & Jiang, 2017). Tombs are common archaeological detection objects and geophysical methods are usually used to investigate their location (Atya et al, 2005; Oh, Abdallatif, & Suh, 2008; Piscitelli et al, 2007; Rabbel et al, 2015) and to detect their internal structure (Booth, Szpakowska, Pischikova, & Griffin, 2015; Kamei, Marukawa, Kudo, Nishimura, & Nakai, 2000; Nuzzo, Leucci, & Negri, 2009; Pipan, Baradello, Forte, & Finetti, 2001; Rodrigues, Porsani, Santos, DeBlasis, & Giannini, 2009; Sarris et al, 2007). The large‐scale mausoleums that existed in the middle and late periods of the Southern Song Dynasty (SSD, 1127–1279 ce ) in China are valued by archaeologists for their unique shape and rich cultural connotations (Zhejiang Institute of Archaeology, 2009).…”