Identification of Archaeological Elements with Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR): Laboratory Practices and Comparison with Reality

Abstract

The application of non-invasive and non-destructive techniques in geophysical prospection, has become a common practice in the search for archaeological elements without resorting to excavation. The interaction between archaeologists and geophysicists has not always been ideal, with archaeologists possessing the tools to process and understand the data, while geophysicists face their own set of challenges. The complexity of the process increases further when seeking a historical interpretation, such as the reconstruction of a site's layout or the interpretation of its elements. Recognizing the need for improved collaboration, we present a series of experimental case studies wherein various scenarios that may arise in an archaeological context are reproduced using idealized laboratory conditions. The study involves a comparative analysis between archaeological remains on a small scale, buried within a uniform medium composed by coarse sand, and data obtained by ground-penetrating radar (GPR) using a 1600 MHz antenna. The obtained results are then compared with the geometry of the buried objects, and a discussion ensues regarding the feasibility of addressing typical historical and archaeological questions based on this analysis.