Integrating ground-penetrating radar and stratigraphic excavation at Fort Tantumquery, Ghana

Sub-surface imaging of a colonial-era fort in a tropical environment

Bibliographic Data

ID19216776
AuthorsCyril D Boateng (0000-0002-1721-4158, Washburn University, corresponding author), Mutalabi Alhassan (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology), Thomas Dwomoh (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology), Mark Seyram Amenyo-Xa (University of Ghana), Gideon Agyare (University of Ghana), Kennedy Atsutse (University of Cape Coast), Kwasi Preko (0000-0002-3542-6525, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology)
Year2026
Pages1-21
Publication date2026-06-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAzania Archaeological Research in Africa (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0067-270X • E-ISSN: 1945-5534
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0067270x.2026.2674423
OpenAlexW7163047394
LanguageEN
References cited14

Fort Tantumquery, a British colonial fort built in the 1720s at Otuam in Ghana’s Central Region, represents a significant yet archaeologically uninvestigated heritage site in West Africa. This study presents the first ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey and targeted excavation at the site, demonstrating an integrated geophysical-archaeological workflow suited to tropical West African heritage contexts. A GPR system with an 800 MHz shielded antenna was deployed across two survey grids — Locus 1 (southern area) and Locus 2 (northern area) — each measuring 7 × 5 m with 1 m profile spacing. GPR reflection profiles were classified by geometry and amplitude. At Locus 1, high-amplitude, laterally discontinuous reflections between 0.00 and 0.60 m depth were interpreted as a heterogeneous cultural horizon characterised by high dielectric contrast between ceramic, metallic and organic inclusions. A moderately continuous planar reflection at approximately 0.45 m depth was associated with a compacted anthropogenic surface, validated by excavation of a compact clay floor and adjacent stone quern at the corresponding depth. At Locus 2, laterally continuous, moderate-amplitude planar reflections between 0.20 and 0.90 m indicated a stratified deposit with alternating moisture-retention properties; excavation confirmed artefact-bearing layers to 0.90 m, underlain by archaeologically sterile gravel. Signal attenuation below the cultural horizons at both loci provided clear geophysical boundaries for excavation targeting. A total of 365 artefacts were recovered, validating the GPR interpretations and confirming the method's capacity to delineate cultural deposits and guide excavation strategy in a tropical environment. The results establish a reproducible GPR-excavation workflow with direct applicability to colonial-era heritage investigations across Ghana and West Africa.

Archaeomagnetic dating · Excavation · Ground-Penetrating Radar · Radar · Archaeological Research and Protection · Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods · Geophysical Methods and Applications

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