The Use of Geophysical Survey in Archaeology

Datos Bibliográficos

ID23734841
AutoresTimothy J Horsley (Yale University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2015
Páginas1-17
Fecha de publicación2015-05-15
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoOTHER
RevistaEmerging Trends in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (JOURNAL)
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/9781118900772.etrds0356
OpenAlexW1539513995
ISBN9781118900772
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas55

This essay aims to introduce readers to geophysical methods that are currently employed to help archaeologists study the past. Geophysical techniques exploit differences between the physical properties of buried remains and the natural soil to allow their detection and characterization without—or in advance of—digging. When successfully applied, they have the potential to dramatically enhance archaeological investigations by providing a map of buried remains that can (i) help to assess an area for its archaeological potential; (ii) guide subsequent excavation; or (iii) be used as a tool to define and test research questions in their own right. Given the relatively rapid and noninvasive nature of these methods, it is possible to examine entire sites and landscapes, in some instances detecting features as small as individual post holes. While these techniques are routinely integrated into archaeological investigations in some parts of the world, their potential in many areas is only starting to be realized. It is expected that we will see continued growth in the number of surveys being conducted, as well as in the sizes of areas encompassed and in the range of their archaeological application. This essay will briefly introduce the major geophysical techniques and types of buried features that may be detected. Recent developments in various aspects of the discipline are then summarized, before discussing ways in which the results may be applied more broadly in future archaeological and anthropological investigations.

Archaeology · Digging · Excavation · Exploit · Geography · Natural (archaeology) · Computer Science · Earthquake Detection and Analysis · Geology · Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods · Geophysical Methods and Applications · Geophysics