Exploring a prehistoric site for remains of human structures by three‐dimensional seismic tomography

Abstract

Seismic tomography is applied in the exploration of the subsurface of a prehistoric site for remains of human structures.Prehistoric sites are important foraccessing information on human history in times of limited written evidence. Knowledge of the subsurface character and pattern of possible structural remains can be of great help in excavation design and assessment. A case history of the application of seismic tomography at Palamari prehistoric site, Skyros Island, Aegean Sea,Greece, is presented. Energysourcesandrecordersareplacedonthegroundsurface.Traveltime dataareanalysedandprocessed with three-dimensional tomographic inversion software. Seismic velocity images of the subsurface are constructed. Modelling of the subsurface is used to improve the interpretation and assist in the evaluation of the significance and reliability of the results.Velocity variations are known to correlate well with the lithological character of the earth materials, thus providing important structural andlithologicalinformationofthe subsurface.Theresultsshowagood correlation, intermsoflocation, geometry and dimensions, with expected and excavated real dimensions and pattern of the foundation and near-surface structure

Using seismic traveltime tomography in geoarchaeological exploration: an application at the site of Chatby cemeteries in Alexandria, Egypt

“…The method, as applied in the present case, appears to be adequate for a reliable non‐destructive exploration of the subsurface in areas of restricted access and in urban environments. Intelligent recording layout design and the use of sources/receivers adapted to the site conditions will assist in a better imaging of the subsurface and of man‐made structures in particular, as has been already observed in other tomography applications (Polymenakos and Papamarinopoulos ; Polymenakos et al . , , ).…”

“…(see references in Polymenakos et al . , ). Archaeological applications of seismic tomography have been only recently made (see Papamarinopoulos et al .…”

“…We have applied seismic tomography to different geoarchaeological environments and subsurface targets. A discussion of the applications and their results is given in Polymenakos and Papamarinopoulos () and Polymenakos et al . (, ), where relevant references are also provided.…”

“…A discussion of the applications and their results is given in Polymenakos and Papamarinopoulos () and Polymenakos et al . (, ), where relevant references are also provided. As suggested from the inversion results presented in the references above, the application has been successful: man‐made structures, such as stone foundations, and empty spaces, such as crypts and tombs, are well reconstructed in terms of location, shape and dimensions, with respect to the relevant real parameters, known from direct observation and the relevant bibliography; geological structures, such as loose ground material, as well as the solid bedrock, are also well determined in terms of location and geometrical characteristics.…”

Investigation of clay sediments and bedrock morphology in caves with seismic traveltime tomography: an application at Alepotrypa Cave (Diros, Greece)

“…Typical applications of seismic traveltime tomography include mapping of empty or sediment filled fractures and soft or hard geological materials in underground mines and facilities (e.g., Jackson et al, 1995;AjoFranklin et al, 2013), and estimating the geometry and depth of cover sediments in landslides (e.g., Lanz et al, 1998;Samyn et al, 2012;Adamczyk et al, 2013) and archaeological sites (e.g., Witten et al, 1995;Polymenakos et al, 2004;Polymenakos & Papamarinopoulos, 2005;.…”