1,721,047 research outputs found
Geophysical investigation of the Temple of Apollo (Hierapolis, Turkey)
No full textThe ruins of Hierapolis are located a few kilometres North of Laodicea in the Lycus Valley (western Turkey). This area is characterised by
a large geothermic field that produces several hot water springs along tectonic structures (fractures and faults).
Inside Hierapolis is the Temple of Apollo, the principal deity of the city. While the foundations of this temple go back to late Hellenistic
times, the present remains of the upper structure are from the 3rd century AD. Next to it there is an underground chamber (called the Plutonion)
from which poisonous gases emerge. This paper presents the results of a geophysical survey carried out to explore firstly the buried cavities or
structures beneath the Temple of Apollo, knowledge of which is important to understand whether the Plutonion could be entered from the inside
of the temple for completing the sacrifices; secondly to contribute to the ongoing evaluation of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical
resistivity tomography (ERT) as tools for research into subsurface archaeological features (voids, walls, etc.).
Two-dimensional ERT imaging was used to detect the presence of an active normal fault passing under the Temple of Apollo, as shown by
geological, geomorphological and archaeoseismological observations. The resistivity profiles reveal the presence of conductive material (clay)
covering the archaeological structures. The presence of active normal faults is indicated by the displacement of the bedrock and the conductive
material on top of it.
Three-dimensional GPR imaging was used to detect man-made structures located under the Temple of Apollo.
The results of the two survey methods applied were compared, assessing the relative merits and demerits of each technique. Their combined
use is discussed in terms of providing enhanced views that are more informative than a single metho
Use of ground penetrating radar to map subsurface archeological features in an urban area
No full textThe ground penetrating radar (GPR) technique was used to investigate the subsurface in an urban area located in Mesagne (Italy) to obtain
a map of the archaeological features in the ground. The GPR survey was undertaken at selected locations placed near (about 50 m) to a necropolis
dating from the Messapian to the Roman imperial age, using a GSSI Sir System 2 incorporating 200 and 500 MHz centre frequency antennae.
The selected areas (A and B) were surveyed along parallel 1 m spaced profiles using a 200 MHz antenna in area A and along parallel 0.5 m
spaced profiles using a 500 MHz antenna in area B. For the selected areas the processed data were visualised in 3D space not only by means
of the standard time slice technique, but also by means of a recently proposed approach, namely by iso-amplitude surfaces of the complex trace
amplitude. The immediacy in revealing the spatial positioning of highly reflecting bodies, such as the anomaly interpreted as an old hypogeum
room in area A, makes 3D visualisation techniques very attractive in archaeological applications of GPR. Their sensitivity to the signal/noise
ratio is, on the other hand, highlighted by the quite poor performance in area B, where the only reliable result provided by all the techniques was
the ancient living surface reflection, whereas none of them could effectively enhance the visibility of weak hyperbola reflections noted on 2D
sections and probably related to the walls located on the ancient living surface. The performance of the various techniques in these two different
situations allowed insights into their main advantages and drawbacks to be gained
Analysis of subsurface water content with integrated techniques
No full textWe propose a study of the problem of deterioration of stone buildings of cultural importance, integrating different non destructive techniques (microclimatic and Ground Penetrating Radar).
It is well known in fact that this deterioration can be attributed to the presence of water and/or moisture in the porous material that occurs in water-damaged and humid buildings, due to poorly manufactured constructions and inadequate maintenance. The distribution of moisture within stone mainly depends on not suitable environmental condition and by the presence of wet buried structures in the ground.
The microclimatic and Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys were carried out inside the Crypt of the "Cattedrale di Otranto” (Lecce, South Italy).
The careful analysis of the 0.4 m spaced GPR parallel profiles, acquired in the Crypt, using a Sir2 GSSI radar system with a 500 MGHz antenna, allow us to distinguish the wet and moisture zone, so a subsurface and surface moisture variations map is obtained.
Microclimatic and GPR data are in good agreement and suggest that an important channelling of moisture has origin in the subsoil
Un contributo per la definizione dei rapporti geometrici tra due unità oligo-mioceniche del Salento Leccese (Puglia, Italia) mediante indagini geofisiche con georadar
No full textIntegration of high resolution optcal satellite imagery and geophysical survey for archaeological prospetion in Hierapolis (Turkey)
No full textAn in-depth analysis of the site of Hierapolis (Turkey)
has been carried out using high resolution remotely sensed
imagery integrated with geophysical survey and direct field
data in order to detect evidence of archaeological features and
environmental setting.
High resolution panchromatic and multispectral images
acquired by different satellites were used in this study. These
images, acquired also in stereoscopic configuration, were
digitally processed and visually interpreted.
Geophysical data were collected in some areas of interest using
different surveying methodologies (electric, radar).
Besides the important scientific implications, the integration of
remote sensing and geophysics in archaeology provided a useful
tool for the optimization of landscape and cultural heritage
management.
All data collected were integrated in a Geographic
Information System (GIS) to produce comprehensive maps of
the site depicting archaeological and environmental features
3D High resolution GPR survey to help the reconstruction of the archaeologicalstratigraphy of Lecce (Italy
No full text3D high resolution Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey was performed in the Crypt of the Duomo of Lecce (South Italy), built in 1114. The GPR data revealed us a stratified subsoil in which there is a distribution, with the depth, of several “remains” referable to different epochs. Here we present and discuss the experimental evidences, comparing them with the historical-archaeological documentation. We think that they constitute a valid contribution to the knowledge of the ancient stratigraphy, as well as of the Roman history of Lecce, especially because of many suppositions have not yet found a confirmation
Assessment of fractures in some columns inside the crypt of the Cattedrale di Otranto using integrated geophysical methods
No full textWe investigate the problem of internal fracturing of the columns of a building of cultural importance (the Crypt of the ‘‘Cattedrale di
Otranto’’, Apulia, Italy), using a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating different non-destructive techniques (Microclimatic and Geophysical).
In fact historic buildings, over centuries, may accumulate a high concentration of water and/or moisture that increases significantly the deterioration rate, diminishing the mechanical resistance.
It is well known that the distribution of moisture within stone strongly depends on ambient conditions, i.e. temperature and relative humidity.
No suitable environmental condition in the Crypt and the presence of wet buried structures in the ground involved in the process of deterioration have been indeed assessed in previous surveys.
Actually we perform a ground penetrating radar (GPR) investigation, in reflection mode, in order to reveal the existence of fractures inside the columns, because of the important rising of water from pavement.
The reconstruction of the fracture distribution is fundamental to plan the safeguard and the restoration of the columns themselves and also the stability of the Crypt and of the uppermost Cathedral. Such survey was performed on seven columns using GPR technique. Moreover the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and GPR traveltime tomography (TT) methods were applied on the most damaged column.
The results obtained with these different methodologies are in good agreement, however, the 2D electrical resistivity tomography seems to be less resolutive than GPR. While the GPR traveltime tomography is more time expensive than GPR reflection mode method. The GPR method, in reflection mode, allows to reconstruct the main fractures inside the columns also in virtue of its penetration power.
We think that the joining of different methodologies permits to better understand the complex physical mechanisms in the phenomenon of deterioration of the cultural heritage, in order to achieve useful information for possible, future, restoration works
INTEGRATED GEOPHYSICAL/GEOMORPHOLOGICAL SURVEYS AT THEARAGONESE CASTLE OF TARANTO (ITALY)
No full textGPR, VES and refraction seismic surveys in the karstic area “Spedicaturo” near Nociglia (Lecce, Italy)
No full textThe present work shows some results of an early ground-penetrating radar (GPR) study performed
in a hazardous karstic area near the village of Nociglia in the central part of the Salento peninsula
(Apulia, southern Italy), after a sudden subsidence event occurred on March 13th, 1996. The geophysical
study, also involving vertical electric sounding (VES) and refraction seismics, is part of a
multidisciplinary research project, aimed at determining the climatic, geological, morphological
and hydrogeological conditions of the area in order to assess geological hazards and to prevent
groundwater pollution due to agricultural activities. GPR transects led to the identification of some
shallow subsurface structures including a known cave and probable karstified bedding joints, weakened
shallow layers, fractures, fault zones, and burrows. The VES and seismic surveys resulted in
a better understanding of the geology of the area and supported the interpretation of the GPR data
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