The roles of macro‐ and micro‐scale geophysical investigations to guide and monitor excavations at a Middle Woodland site in northern Georgia, USA

Abstract

Geophysical investigations have become standard in archaeological practice to map sites and help select location for excavation, but the application of these techniques in real time during excavation to help anticipate feature location and maximize recovery has not been developed. This paper presents results from both traditional geophysics and new approaches to using these methods during excavations at Rice Farm (9DW276), a Middle Woodland site located in a broad floodplain adjacent to the Etowah River in north Georgia. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) at the surface was effective in recording reflection events indicative of archaeological features, such as hearths, posts and possibly ditches. Magnetometry was helpful, but less effective due to heavy plough zone scarring and noise from modern metallic debris. High‐frequency handheld GPR was helpful in monitoring excavations in real time and assisted excavators in anticipating the locations of both large and small diameter features. Excavation of geophysical anomalies exposed important features for the interpretation of this newly documented site.

Evaluating the Feasibility of Robotic Crawler Deployed Ground Penetrating Radar to Assess Repairs of a Concrete Hydroelectric Dam Spillway in Alabama, USA

“…This SFCW sensor produces a broad range of frequencies from approximately 0.2 GHz to 4.0 GHz. Many have documented the benefits of producing this wide range with a "single tone" and then transforming the reflected wave from the frequency domain to the time domain [45][46][47][48][49][50]. For example, resolution and depth tend to improve, there is generally a high signal-to-noise ratio, and SFCW GPR typically requires lower power outputs.…”

Generation of High-Precision Ground Penetrating Radar Images Using Improved Least Square Generative Adversarial Networks

“…Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a popular geophysical technique and has been widely applied to near-surface investigation [1,2], archaeological prospection [3,4], hydrological investigation [5], lunar exploration [6], and civil engineering [7]. In tunnel detection, GPR is used to detect voids, seepage, and rebar defects [8,9].…”