Multilevel resistivity prospecting of architectural remains: the Schwarzach case study

Abstract

A survey at Rheinmunster-Schwarzach was carried out during extended research of the medieval monastic complexes of Baden-Wurttenmberg, southern Germany. The excavation of building foundations connected with the church was an aim of the survey. Previous knowledge of the buried remains was based on the results of the few trial pits and a study of written sources. The resistivity method was applied. A preliminary survey using the twin-probe array (1 m spacing between traversing probe, 1 m 2 grid) gave no result. Symmetrical Schlumberger sounding was then carried out with a grid 2X5 Â 2X5 m over an area of 1500 m 2 . Both geoelectrical crosssections and resistivity maps were analysed for 12 different prospecting levels. Such a method of analysis allowed us to trace the remains from different periods: the east wing of the eighth to ninth century cloister and fragments of the seventeenth century complex. The remains are preserved at different depths. During the survey the instrument ARA, which is designed for shallow depth prospecting, was used.

Efficient ERT measuring and inversion strategies for 3D imaging of buried antiquities

“…Unfortunately, the fact that the moving electrode pair for the twin‐probe array has a fixed length throughout the field survey hinders the interpretation of the resistivity data collected in areas with more complex surface geology, as the current cannot penetrate to deeper levels in order to gain more depth information. The use of the vertical electrical sounding technique through the application of Schlumberger (Herbich et al ) or Wenner (Gaber et al ) arrays proved to be very promising for the study of the stratigraphic resistivity variations of archaeological sites. Furthermore, the development of new multiplexing resistance systems can contribute significantly in the determination of the three‐dimensional distribution of the apparent resistivity (Walker ).…”

Geomagnetic and Geoelectric Prospection on a Roman Iron Production Facility in Hüttenberg, Austria ( Ferrum Noricum )

“…Stone constructions as well as slag deposits of the iron production process are characterized by a relatively high electrical resistivity compared with the underlying soils and rocks (Herbich et al , 1997; Dogan and Papamarinopoulos, 2006). Earlier electrical resistance tomography (ERT) surveys conducted on the Semlach-Eisner and Kreuztratte sites (Figure 1) yielded resistivity values for the slag deposits that were two to three times higher than the surrounding soil (Walach, 2007).…”

“…Accompanying susceptibility measurements of the soil, slag and blocks of the masonry foundations have been undertaken, as well as measurements of the remanent magnetization of excavated burnt soil and rock using oriented samples and standard palaeomagnetic techniques. Geoelectric measurements . Stone constructions as well as slag deposits of the iron production process are characterized by a relatively high electrical resistivity compared with the underlying soils and rocks (Herbich et al , ; Dogan and Papamarinopoulos, ). Earlier electrical resistance tomography (ERT) surveys conducted on the Semlach‐Eisner and Kreuztratte sites (Figure ) yielded resistivity values for the slag deposits that were two to three times higher than the surrounding soil (Walach, ).…”

3D electrical imaging of an archaeological site using electrical and electromagnetic methods

“…turbed by agricultural activities or plundering. Also, the investigation of geologic deposits and buried landforms is useful for generating paleoenvironmental information (e.g., Dalan et al, 1992;Bewley et al, 1996;Herbich et al, 1997;Silliman et al, 2000;Weston, 2001). Although these methods have been applied systematically in archaeology during the last 50 years, their implementation in Argentina is relatively new.…”