Integrated archeological and geophysical studies in West Siberia

Abstract

We present the most informative results of archeological and geophysical field studies of the Baraba forest–steppe over the last three years. The studies of the archeological sites of different types belonging to a wide time interval (~6000 BC–2000 AD) were carried out. Data on the presence, size, and configuration of archeological objects were obtained by magnetometry and electrometry. We studied contrast between the magnetic properties of the upper horizon of present-day soil and underlying substratum at archeological sites of different types and ages. Low contrast reduces amplitudes of magnetic anomalies above buried ancient structures. It has been shown that geoelectric methods are efficient in cases when magnetometry is not.

Discovery of buried historical structures in the Kaveri–Kollidam interfluve, southern India

“…Electrical resistivity surveying methods have been used with consistent success in several studies by archaeologists to locate individual masonry structures and hollow chambers of tombs in America and Europe (Epov et al, ). Drahor, Kurtulmus, Berge, Hartmann, and Speidel () demonstrated through a resistivity inversion method the detection of sharp and shallow structures.…”

“…Archaeological sites are highly diverse, with different geologic, geomorphic, lithologic, geomagnetic, geoelectric, land use and hydrogeological characteristics which necessitate unique combinations of geological and geophysical methods (Epov et al, ; Molodin et al, , ; Conyers, , , , , ) depending on the characteristics of the landscape, surrounding natural soil (Cardarelli & Filippo, ; Drahor, ), building techniques and used materials (Epov et al, ; Negri & Leucci, ). Given cognizance to the geological processes and the possible interventions of human settlements with the natural landscape of deltaic regimes, remote sensing techniques for generation of thematic maps on land use, vegetation, geology, geomorphology and incorporation of historic, and literature data were integrated in this study to identify the sites of interests for geophysical surveys at various grid intervals.…”

“…Given cognizance to the current and past natural and anthropogenic interventions, the methods and tools employed for archaeological exploration are highly diverse (Epov et al, ). The geophysical (that have been in use in archaeology since 1946) and remote sensing methods (that have been in use since 1919), with simple instrumentation and short time span (Yalçiner et al, ) are well established techniques that are routinely and successfully used in the detection and mapping of concealed sub‐surface archaeological structures (Papadopoulos, Yi, Kim, Tsourlos, & Tsokas, ; Epov et al, ; http://www.heritagegeophysics.com/papers/wynn.htm).…”

“…Given cognizance to the current and past natural and anthropogenic interventions, the methods and tools employed for archaeological exploration are highly diverse (Epov et al, ). The geophysical (that have been in use in archaeology since 1946) and remote sensing methods (that have been in use since 1919), with simple instrumentation and short time span (Yalçiner et al, ) are well established techniques that are routinely and successfully used in the detection and mapping of concealed sub‐surface archaeological structures (Papadopoulos, Yi, Kim, Tsourlos, & Tsokas, ; Epov et al, ; http://www.heritagegeophysics.com/papers/wynn.htm). Furthermore, recent advancements in these techniques (e.g.Conyers, , , , , ; Conyers & Leckebusch, ; Leucci et al, ) have allowed the probing of sub‐surface through non‐invasive, yet, relatively precise characterization and have led to the discovery of buried geological and man‐made structures (e.g.Cardarelli & Filippo, ; Carr, ; Drahor, ; Drahor, Berge, Ozturk, Alpaslan, & Ergene, ; Epov et al, ; Papadopoulos et al, ; Ranson & Egloff, ) including tombs of historical and archaeological significance (Papadopoulos et al, ).…”

High-Precision Magnetic Survey with UAV for the Archaeological Barrows at Novaya Kurya Monument in Western Siberia

“…А. А. Трофимука и Институт археологии и этнографии Сибирского отделения Российской академии наук сотрудничают уже более 20 лет. За это время выполнен большой объём работ по проведению геофизических исследований (магниторазведка и электроразведка) для поиска и изучения погребенных археологических объектов [1]. В основном для этих целей использовалась наземная магнитная съёмка, с помощью которой очень хорошо выделялись магнитные аномалии величиной несколько нанотесла (нТл), соответствующие археологическим объектам различного типа (погребения, ритуальные и хозяйственные ямы, жилища и т.…”