Ground penetrating radar imaging of a 4th Century Roman Fort, Humayma, Jordan

Abstract

example, archaeologists and historians were concerned about Abstract-A suite of geophysical surveys were conducted on and the possibility of military weapons exploding on or near around the site of a 4th Century Roman fort in Southern Jordan archaeological sites and destroying the underlying artifacts from 2002-2005 as part of the Humayma Excavation Project. and structures. With this type of concern, there would be a Presented here are the results of the ground penetrating radar rush to complete a geophysical survey of the sites to (GPR) data. Data were collected in a series of 1-m-spaced document, to some extent, the location of buried structures profiles within the 150m by 200m Fort and collated to generate .' ' 3D volumes. These GPR data volumes are sliced horizontally at Xanposbly covplome of thelsite eation. Uran optimized depths to yield map-view images of buried structures sprawl in both developed and developing nations may lead to that have been-and will be-used to guide future excavation urban development in areas near archaeological sites, with the and develop usage plans. Data yielded good detail of interior risk that archaeological material may be lost in the process of structures (walls and potential tiled floors) and exterior features development. Again, a geophysical survey will be able to (defensive ditches, claviculae, the Via Nova).Ongoing provide information about the location of archaeological excavations will provide additional information as to the specific material and possibly aid in the excavation of the material nature of the observed features.prior to development of the land.