Mapping subsurface archaeological features using ground penetrating radar in the ancient city of Ur, Iraq

Thabit, Jassim M.; Al-Banna, Ahmed S.; Al-Rahim, Ali M.

doi:10.1016/j.ara.2018.11.004

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Where 36 profiles were collected as a grid (Figure 2), data from 750 MHz antenna were used to survey the same area with only 16 profiles in the same location of the 450 MHz antenna profiles in the x-direction with an inline spacing of 5m between every two profiles (Figure 2). The two antennas data were processed in the following sequence using GPR slice software to processing the GPR profiles: The processing steps depend on the collected profiles and the goal of the survey [8]. The processing sequence (Figure 3) begins with time-zero correction and ends with the migration of two antennas, 450 MHz (Figure 4) and 750 MHz (Figure 5), which is the final image ready for interpretation.…”

Section: Fieldwork 21 Data Acquisition and Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing the Frequencies of 450 Mhz and 750 Mhz using GPR in Investigating Archaeological Features in (Borsippa) Site, Babylon, Iraq

Kareem,

Abd

2024

Iraqi Journal of Science

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Mala GX (Ground Explorer) conducted the survey using two different antennas: 450 MHz and 750 MHz. Data for the 450 MHz antenna were collected in a grid, while data for the 750 MHz antenna were collected in parallel profiles at the same location above the 450 MHz profiles. After processing the data using GPR slice software, possible reflections of archaeological walls buried at different depths and with different extensions of 13 m, 7 m, 6 m, 5m, 3 and 2 m were identified. The reflections were clear and high in the 450 MHz antenna with a depth penetration of 3 meters and unclear and weak in the 750 MHz antenna with a depth penetration of 1 meter. When comparing the two antennas, it is possible to notice a match in the reflections of the walls, and some reflections are not identical in the 750 MHz antenna due to the high noise.

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Section: Fieldwork 21 Data Acquisition and Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing the Frequencies of 450 Mhz and 750 Mhz using GPR in Investigating Archaeological Features in (Borsippa) Site, Babylon, Iraq

Kareem,

Abd

2024

Iraqi Journal of Science

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“…The time window was 200 ns with traces spaced every 5 cm. Elsewhere in Iraq, the same antenna frequency has been used successfully to map preserved building materials similar to those confronted at Babylon (Abdulrazzaq et al, 2021; Thabit et al, 2019).…”

Section: Fieldwork and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Elsewhere in Iraq, integrated ERT and GPR methods have been used to image the historical buried structures in Uruk, in southern Iraq, where houses and other walls were visible (Al‐Khersan et al, 2016). Similar analyses have also been performed in many locations around the world (Abdulrazzaq et al, 2021; Angelis et al, 2018; Balkaya et al, 2021; Balkaya et al, 2018; Casas et al, 2018; Deiana et al, 2018; Fernández‐Álvarez et al, 2017; Hegyi et al, 2018; Malfitana et al, 2018; Negri et al, 2008; Ortega‐Ramírez et al, 2020; Pasierb & Nawrocki, 2020; Thabit et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating electrical resistivity tomography and ground‐penetrating radar methods to map archaeological walls near northern Ishtar gate, ancient Babylon city, Iraq

AL-Hameedawi

Thabit

AL‐Menshed

et al. 2021

Archaeological Prospection

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Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) were collected on the eastern side of the northern Ishtar gate in ancient Babylon, Iraq, to locate the palace wall and other surrounding walls. Due to the presence of a low resistivity (highly conductive) top layer associated with brick rubble and other debris, the GPR reflection profiles show a high‐energy attenuation, but a series of processing and filtering steps produced coherent reflections of about 2 m depth. Profile analysis shows the geometry and layering of the walls and the surrounding matrix. With the ERT, the surface conductive zone produces various distortions in ERT inverse models, making identifying the features' lower boundaries difficult. Here, we suggest that instead of analysing these two data sets independently, the integration of both reveals not just the walls but their composition and defines material in the surrounding units. This integration shows how the interpretation of the shallow features on the 3D ERT maps is improved by comparison and interpretation in conjunction with the reflections visible on both reflection profiles and the 3D GPR amplitude slices. The orientation of these features and reflections emphasizes the existence of one series of buried walls at a depth of 90–150 cm. The thickness of these walls varies between 0.25 and 1 m. Another wall‐like feature is visible only on 3D ERT maps and not with the 3D GPR slices at 2 m depth, which indicates a thickness of 11 m. It is interpreted as the palace wall, which is consistent with earlier archaeological excavations. An analysis of the geometry and composition of both wall components, perhaps of different ages, and constructed for different reasons, indicates that some shallower walls may be the remains of rooms built as residences for soldiers, or they may belong to the other ruins of northern Ishtar gate.

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“…The other geophysical method is the GPR which was widely used in archeological studies in the later years [11,12]. Many studies use both ERI and GPR methods to investigate archeological features.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of 2D Electrical Resistivity Method and Ground Penetration Rader for Detection of the Archaeological Remains in Kish Site, Babylon, Iraq

Al-Rawi,

Al-Banna

2023

Iraqi Journal of Science

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The 2D electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) is a non-destructive method with good efficiency to detect shallow subsurface features. The archeological subsurface features were investigated with this method in most cases with the assistance of other methods such as GPR method. Eleven 2D ERI profiles were carried out to investigate the subsurface archeological features in the Kish site in the Babylon area. The 2D electrical resistivity survey was achieved with ABEM Terrameter-LS2 Device and 30 electrodes with 1-meter spacing between the adjacent electrodes along each profile. The length of the profile is 29 meters and the spacing between the adjacent profiles is 3 meters. The software RES2DINV was used to obtain the final inverted models. The resistivity value of the study site is low, not exceeding 10 ohm.m. The variation in the resistivity anomalies values indicates many possible buried walls on the site. The clearest anomaly, which shows relatively high resistivity at the distance range of 8-11 m, appeared in all profiles nearly at the same position and extended in depth from 0.25-4 meters. This anomaly is interpreted as an ancient wall. Profiles 1, 5, and 10 to check the resistivity result. The GPR survey result generally confirms the resistivity result. The 2D ERI and GPR methods successfully detect the buried wall in the study site.

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Mapping subsurface archaeological features using ground penetrating radar in the ancient city of Ur, Iraq

Cited by 8 publications

References 24 publications

Comparing the Frequencies of 450 Mhz and 750 Mhz using GPR in Investigating Archaeological Features in (Borsippa) Site, Babylon, Iraq

Comparing the Frequencies of 450 Mhz and 750 Mhz using GPR in Investigating Archaeological Features in (Borsippa) Site, Babylon, Iraq

Integrating electrical resistivity tomography and ground‐penetrating radar methods to map archaeological walls near northern Ishtar gate, ancient Babylon city, Iraq

Application of 2D Electrical Resistivity Method and Ground Penetration Rader for Detection of the Archaeological Remains in Kish Site, Babylon, Iraq

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