Deal with steel: investigating the wreck of the heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer

In this paper, we present, for the first time, a world war two warship imaged underground, in a silted up harbor. Only reflection seismic measurements and electrical resistivity tomography allowed prospecting of the target at challenging depths from 4 m to 12 m below surface

Application of 3D ERT and GPR in modern archaeology – an example for mapping new-age urban remains

The aim of this study is to find out to what extent 3D geoelectric surface measurements can contribute better to a high-resolution subsurface model than conventional 2D measurements. 2D and 3D electrical measurements as well as GPR measurements were performed on a former working farm in Kiel. The results of the 3D-electrical measurements show that individual structures in the subsurface can be detected better than in the results of the 2D-electrical measurements. These structures are also visible in the GPR time slices

The Applicability of an Inverse Schlumberger Array for Near-Surface Targets in Shallow Water Environments

We investigate the applicability of offshore geoelectrical profiling in the littoral zone, e.g., for archaeological prospection, sediment classification and investigations on coastal ground water upwelling. We performed field measurements with a 20 m long multi-electrode streamer in inverse Schlumberger configuration, which we used to statistically evaluate measurement uncertainty and the reproducibility of offshore electric resistivity tomography. We compared floating and submerged electrodes, as well as stationary and towed measurements. We found out that apparent resistivity values can be determined with an accuracy of 1% to 5% (1σ) depending on the measurement setup under field conditions. Based on these values and focusing on typical meter-scale targets, we used synthetic resistivity models to theoretically investigate the tomographic resolution and depth penetration achievable near-beach underneath a column of brackish water of about 1 m depth. From the analysis, we conclude that offshore geoelectric sounding allows the mapping of archaeological stone settings. The material differentiation of low-porosity rock masses 2 m if floating electrodes are used

Starting to fill the gaps of the Selinus geophysical map

We analyze ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data which was recorded in the tight confined spaces of an overgrown sand dune. The topography of the dune has the same scale as the penetration depth. We developed a 3D topographic migration algorithm and enable the generation and interpretation of layer parallel depth slices

Investigating remains of an early modern manor in Noer (Schleswig-Holstein) using 3D ERT and GPR – first results

Buried remains of an early modern manor are investigated using ERT and GPR. For this purpose, 3D approaches are applied for high-resolution imaging. The results of both methods are interpreted in combination with archaeological findings

Combined geophysical prospection of kurgans on the Uzun Rama plateau in the Caucasus, Azerbaijan: first results

In November 2021, a geophysical prospection using magnetics, electromagnetics, and ground penetrating radar, as well as a surface archaeological survey and aerial photography were conducted in the kurgan area on the Uzun-Rama plateau in central Azerbaijan. These non-destructive investigations aim to obtain information on the morphology, structure and spatial distribution of the urgans in order to classify them according to various features. The preliminary results show that increased magnetic field intensity, increased electrical conductivity, and increased reflection energy in the GPR are observed in the top region of the kurgans, which contain information about the burial chamber

St. Petri Cathedral Schleswig: non-destructive geophysical damage analysis of medieval plaster

Non-destructive geophysical methods were applied to detect moisture at the St. Petri Cathedral in Schleswig. One of them is thermography, which allows to distinguish between intact and defective medieval plaster. Additionally, thesuccess of a restoration can be determined by ultrasonic surface measurements

Multi-Coil FD-EMI in Tidal Flat Areas: Prospection and Ground Truthing at a 17th Century Wooden Ship Wreckage

We present a case study of multi-coil frequency-domain electromagnetic (FD-EMI) prospection of a wooden ship wreckage from the 17th century. The wreckage is buried in a sandbar in the German part of the tidal flat area of the North Sea. Furthermore, the wreckage was excavated in advance and covered again after investigation. This ground truthing background and the position of the wreckage makes it a unique investigation object to test the feasibility of FD-EMI for prospecting wooden archaeological objects in the high conductive sediments of tidal flat areas. Our results reveal the shape and position of the wreckage in terms of conductivity maps. The resulting signal change caused by the wreckage in conductivity is only 10% of the value of the water-saturated sandy background, respectively, making a cautious process necessary, including a precise height correction. The data, furthermore, reveals a sensitivity to the vertical shape of the wreckage and thus sufficient depth sensitivity, but with reduced sensing depth. The study highlights the great potential of EMI for both in situ heritage management and archaeological research in the Wadden Sea

Geophysical prospections support the historical identification of the archaeological site at Lake Gala, Hebros/Maritsa/Meriç delta (Turkey)

Archaeological survey and combined geophysical measurements of magnetics were conducted. Geoelectrics and ground penetrating radar support the interpretation of a Roman station controlling a branch of the Via Egnatia leading to Ainos (modern Enez in Turkey). The site could be the first archaeological example of a road station in Thrace, constructed between the 1st and the 2nd century CE

First results from stratigraphic investigation of Chiselet tell (Romania) using seismic full waveform inversion

In this paper we analyze the applicability of seismic full-waveform inversion (FWI) for investigation of tells, which are often characterized by heterogeneous and small-scale stratigraphy. Major aim is to identify location and shape of settlement layers and house remains. Furthermore, a paleochannel, which is important to understand the interaction between tell and the surrounding landscape, was found at the tell flank