1887
Volume 11 Number 4
  • ISSN: 1569-4445
  • E-ISSN: 1873-0604

Abstract

ABSTRACT

We present the results of a GPR prospecting carried out at the archaeological site of Batungasta, in the NW region of Argentina. This site was established by the Incas in the 14th century and was later occupied during the Spaniard conquest. Environmental information obtained at this arid zone led us to postulate that parts of the site buildings had been seriously damaged and buried by seasonal flood events as well as aeolian sedimentation. Therefore, we considered applying the GPR method to investigate the existence of buried remains, their architectural characteristics and to provide further evidence about the flows that possibly affected them. This method seemed suitable to attain these goals since it usually provides a good detection capacity for architectural structures and layers in dry environments, as well as good quality maps of the soil. Seven sectors of the site were surveyed using a GPR constant‐offset methodology and 500 MHz antennas. The analysis of the data allowed recognizing electromagnetic patterns that could be associated to the existence of walls. In six of the seven sectors, enclosures formed by rock‐earth and earth walls were detected and mapped, confirming Incaic‐Spanish and Spanish structures, respectively. A sedimentary layer produced by a large flood that covered the structures was detected and mapped, providing evidence of this kind of event and its influence on the site. The maps of this layer were also useful to indirectly visualize the 3D shapes of the discovered walls, which were unclear in many sections of the data and to detect additional anthropogenic structures with very bad preservation conditions. These structures had not been previously identified from analysis of the data sections due to the confusing aspect of the reflections produced at their irregular boundaries.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.3997/1873-0604.2013021
2013-02-01
2024-04-18
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. BerardB. and MaillolJ.2007. Multi‐offset ground penetrating radar data for improved imaging in areas of lateral complexity – Application at a Native American site. Journal of Applied Geophysics62, 167–177.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. BiniM., FornaciariA., RiboliniA., BianchiA., SartiniS. and CoschinoF.2010. Medieval phases of settlement at Benabbio castle, Apennine Mountains, Italy: Evidence from Ground Penetrating Radar survey. Journal of Archaeological Science37, 3059–3067.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. BladonP.MoffatI., GuilfoyleD., BealeA. and MilaniJ.2011. Mapping anthropogenic fill with GPR for unmarked grave detection: A case study from a possible location of Mokare’s grave, Albany, Western Australia. Exploration Geophysics42, 249–257.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. BonomoN., OsellaA., MartinelliP., de la VegaM., CoccoG., LetieriF. and FrittegottoG.2012. Location and characterization of the Sancti Spiritus Fort from geophysical investigations. Journal of Applied Geophysics83, 57–64.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. BonomoN., OsellaA. and RattoN.2010. Detecting and mapping buried buildings with GPR at an ancient village in Northwestern Argentina. Journal of Archaeological Science37, 3247–3255.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. BrownJ., NicholsJ., SteinbronnL. and BradfordJ.2009. Improved GPR interpretation through resolution of lateral velocity heterogeneity: Example from an archaeological site investigation. Journal of Applied Geophysics68, 3–8.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. CaliaA., LeucciG., MasiniN., MateraL., PersicoR. and SileoM.2012. Integrated prospecting in the crypt of the Basilica of Saint Nicholas in Bari, Italy. Journal of Geophysics and Engineering9, 271–281.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. CapizziP., MartoranaR., MessinaP. and CosentinoP.2012. Geophysical and geotechnical investigations to support the restoration project of the Roman ‘Villa del Casale’, Piazza Armerina, Sicily, Italy. Near Surface Geophysics10, 145–160.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. DonohueS., GavinK. and TolooiyanA.2011. Geophysical and geotechnical assessment of a railway embankment failure. Near Surface Geophysics9, 33–44.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. GrangeiaC., MatiasM., FigueiredoF., HermozilhaH., CarvalhoP. and SilvaR.2011. A multi‐method high‐resolution geophysical survey in the Machado de Castro museum, central Portugal. Journal of Geophysics and Engineering8, 351–365.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. LeucciG., MasiniN., PersicoR., QuartaG. and DolceC.2012. A multidisciplinary analysis of the Crypt of the Holy Spirit in Monopoli (southern Italy). Near Surface Geophysics10, 57–64.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. MartinoL., BonomoN., LascanoE., OsellaA. and RattoN.2006. Electrical and GPR prospecting at Palo Blanco archaelogical site, northwestern Argentina. Geophysics71(6), B193–B199.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. MasiniN., RizzoE., LasaponaraR. and OreficiG.2008. Integrated remote sensing techniques for the detection of buried archaeological adobe structures: Preliminary results in Cahuachi (Peru). Advances in Geosciences19, 75–82.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. NovoA., LorenzoH., RialF. and SollaM.2012. From pseudo‐3D to full‐resolution GPR imaging of a complex Roman site. Near Surface Geophysics10, 11–15.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Pérez‐GraciaV., González‐DrigoR. and SalaR.2012. Ground‐penetrating radar resolution in cultural heritage applications. Near Surface Geophysics10, 77–87.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. PiroS. and CampanaS.2012. GPR investigation in different archaeological sites in Tuscany (Italy). Analysis and comparison of the obtained results. Near Surface Geophysics10, 47–56.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. PorsaniJ., de Matos JangelmeG. and KipnisR.2012. Use of ground‐penetrating radar to map subsurface features at the Lapa do Santo archaeological site (Brazil). Near Surface Geophysics10, 141–144.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. PowellA., WheelerJ. and BattC.2012. Identifying archaeological wood stack charcoal production sites using geophysical prospection: Magnetic characteristics from a modern wood stack charcoal burn site. Journal of Archaeological Science39, 1197–1204.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. RattoN.2005. La Arqueología del Bolsón de Fiambalá a través de los Estudios de Impacto (Dpto. Tinogasta, Catamarca, Argentina). Actas dos I Jornadas Internacionais Vestígios do Passado. AGIR ‐ Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento Sócio‐cultural (972‐99404‐1‐X). Lisboa.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. RattoN., BonomoN., de La VegaM. and OsellaA.2011. Arqueogeofísica y paleoambiente en el oeste tinogasteño (Dpto. Tinogasta, Catamarca): Resultados preliminares. III Congreso Latinoamericano de Arqueometría, Arica, Chile. Expanded Abstracts, 88–89.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. RattoN., OrgazM. and PláR. 2002. Producción y distribución de bienes cerámicos durante la ocupación Inca entre la región puneña de Chaschuil y el valle de Abaucán (Dpto. Tinogasta, Catamarca). Relaciones de la Sociedad Argentina de Antropología27, 271–301.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. RizzoE., MasiniN., LasaponaraR. and OreficiG.2010. Archaeo‐Geophysical methods in the Templo del Escalonado (Cahuachi, Nasca, Perù). Near Surface Geophysics8, 433–439.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. TyeA., KesslerH., AmbroseK., WilliamsJ., TragheimD., ScheibA.et al. 2011. Using integrated near‐surface geophysical surveys to aid mapping and interpretation of geology in an alluvial landscape within a 3D soil‐geology framework. Near Surface Geophysics9, 15–31.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. YilmazO.1987. Seismic Data Processing . 4th edition. Society of Exploration Geophysicists. Tulsa, USA.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. ZananiriI., HademenosV. and PiterosC.2010. Geophysical investigations near the ancient Agora at the city of Argos, Greece. Journal of Geophysics and Engineering7, 174–182.
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.3997/1873-0604.2013021
Loading
/content/journals/10.3997/1873-0604.2013021
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error