Merging scalar magnetometer and fluxgate gradiometer data - an alternative method

Combining the records of different types of magnetometers to one magnetogram can be onerous. We introduce an alternative way to merge magnetograms of diverse magnetometers. The application of a high-pass filter on scalar magnetometer data resembles gradiometer data. This can be a fast and easy way to merge scalar magnetometer and fluxgate gradiometer data

Prospecting in the marshland: the Sumerian city Fara-Šuruppak (Iraq)

Fara-Šuruppak was a major Sumerian city of the third millennium B.C. By magnetometer prospecting we discovered and traced a casemate city wall that enclosed the city. On the west bank of the Euphrates river we identified a large harbour complex of Fara-Šuruppak. The magnetogram revealed the existence of channels, a bridge, hydraulic constructions and agricultural fields

Prognostic factors in seminomas with special respect to HCG: Results of a prospective multicenter study

Objective: In a prospective multicenter trial, it was our intention to elucidate clinical prognostic factors of seminomas with special reference to the importance of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) elevations in histologically pure seminomas. Methods: Together with 96 participating urological departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, we recruited 803 seminoma patients between 1986 and 1991. Out of 726 evaluable cases, 378 had elevated, while 348 had normal HCG values in the cubital vein. Histology was reviewed by two reference pathologists. HCG levels were determined in local laboratories and in a study laboratory. Standard therapy was defined as radiotherapy in stages I (30 Gy) and IIA/B (36 Gy) to the paraaortal and the ispilateral (stage I) and bilateral (stage IIA/B) iliac lymph nodes; higher stages received polychemotherapy and surgery in case of residual tumor masses. Statistics included chi-square tests, linear Cox regression, and log-rank test. Results: The HCG elevation is associated with a larger tumor mass (primary tumor and/or metastases). HCG-positive and HCG-negative seminomas had no different prognostic outcome after standard therapy. The overall relapse rate of 6% and the survival rate of 98% after 36 months (median) indicate an excellent prognosis. The calculation of the relative risk of developing a relapse discovered only stage of the disease and elevation of the lactate dehydrogenase concentration and its prolonged marker decay as independent prognostic factors for seminomas. A more detailed analysis of the prognostic significance of the stage revealed that the high relapse rate in stage IIB seminomas after radiotherapy (24%) is responsible for this result. Conclusions: We conclude that HCG-positive seminomas do not represent a special entity. Provided standard therapy is applied, HCG has no influence on the prognosis. Patients with stage IIB disease should be treated with chemotherapy because of the demonstrated higher relapse rate outside the retroperitoneum. Copyright (C) 1999 S. Karger AG. Basel

War related impacts (WRI) in archaeological magnetometer data

The relevance of archaeological prospection in conflict landscape research is briefly outlined. Several examples of WRI in magnetometer data are presented and systematized. For a prediction of filled bomb craters in magnetometer data, respective characteristics are worked out

Global survey of the frontiers of the Roman Empire in Southern Germany, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Introduction The Roman Limes with a length of 550 km is the largest archaeological site of Europe as well as the largest monument of the Roman period. In July 2005, it was decided that the Limes and its interrelated archaeological sites, together with Hadrian’s Wall in England, would be a component of a “Trans-National World Heritage” project taking the name “Frontiers of the Roman Empire”. Along the Limes more than 120 Roman forts, military camps and pickets, as well as 900 watchtowers have ..

Revisiting Fara: Comparison of merged prospection results of diverse magnetometers with the earliest excavations in ancient Suruppak from 120 years ago

Ancient Suruppak, today Fara, was one of the major Sumerian cities in Mesopotamia. It was situated along one of the ancient watercourses of the Euphrates River. Findings date it back to the Jemdet Nasr period around 3000 bc with a continuous occupation until the end of the Ur III period around 2000 bc. Fara was first explored and excavated by the Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft in the years 1902 and 1903 under the direction of Walter Andrae. Multiple excavation trenches with lengths up to 900 m transect the 1 km(2) wide mound and are still visible today which enables us to georeference the excavation maps. Today, the 2.2 km(2) wide archaeological area is dry and without any vegetation. Thousands of deep looting pits are covering the majority of mound which not only destroyed its upper metres but also challenge the application of geophysical prospection methods and their interpretation. The magnetometer prospecting of selected areas on and around the mound was carried out with three devices, two total field magnetometers and one gradiometer. The individual survey areas were combined in post-processing by applying a high-pass filter on the total field data sets and multiplying the vertical gradiometer data sets by a factor of two. This approach provides visually uniform magnetograms, despite being obtained by different devices, which simplifies subsequent visual interpretation. These magnetograms enable us to review, and to extend the results of the old excavations. The comparison show a good correlation in accuracy to the old drawings and positive identification of the already excavated features with magnetometry. Highlights of the survey are the discovery of the city wall confirming its existence, the layout of a unique building complex in the centre of the mound, likely a temple, traces of canals inside the city and an evaluation of magnetometer prospection over a looted area

Magnetometry and soil magnetism on Celtic square enclosures in Bavaria, Southern Germany

Introduction A widely spread Celtic archaeological feature in southern Germany, ranging from eastern France to the western Czech Republic, are the so called “Viereckschanzen” or “Square Enclosures”, dating to  the La Tène period 200 to 50 B.C. They consist of nearly square systems of earth walls with only one entrance gap and uninterrupted surrounding ditches. Inside these enclosures traces of buildings are known. Since 1993 more than 20 magnetometer surveys have been carried out. In order t..