Ground-penetrating Radar and Magnetometry for Buried Landscape Analysis

by Lawrence B. Conyers

Overview

This book presents the integrated use of magnetometry and ground-penetrating radar geophysical mapping to understand the human presence within buried archaeological landscapes. Ground-penetrating radar can be used to identify buried living surfaces, geological stratigraphy and the architectural remains of sites in three-dimensions.  Magnetometry can produce images denoting differences on the composition of those materials, both anthropogenic and natural, but with more limited three-dimensional resolution. The integration of the two has a unique ability to resolve and interpret these buried materials, differentiated between the human-caused and natural layers, and place all buried features within historic landscapes.  The final product of geophysical integration, along with some limited subsurface testing, produces a holistic analysis of human adaptations to, and modifications of, the ancient landscape. Examples are shown from sites in Roman Croatia and Britain, Medieval Ireland, Colonial Connecticut, and an Archaic site in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.  These examples from very different environments, time periods and cultural groups illustrate how the integrated geophysical methodology can interpret, on a scale approaching many hectares, the ancient landscapes within which people lived.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783319708904
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	11/24/2017
Series:	SpringerBriefs in Geography
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	109
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Lawrence B. Conyers is currently Professor and Department Chair at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Denver, USA. He holds an M.S. degree in Geology (1975) from Arizona State University and an M.A. and PhD degrees in Anthropology (1993, 1995) from the University of Colorado, Boulder. His main research interests are ground-penetrating radar for (geo)archaeology and digital archaeological mapping. He has authored or coauthored 4 books on ground-penetrating radar, 16 refereed journal articles, many  conference proceedings and other articles, and contributed to 6 edited books.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Geophysics for landscape analysis

1.3 Multiple method integration

1.4 The focus of this book: a modification from other approaches to integrate methods 

1.5 Some initial thoughts on analysis of geophysical data

1.6 Example of the method used to analyze both GPR and magnetics

Chapter 2 Ground-penetrating Radar

2.1 Introduction to ground-penetrating radar

2.2 The GPR method

Chapter 3 Magnetometry

3.1 Basics of Magnetometry

3.2 Magnetometer systems typically employed

3.3 Variables that affect magnetic readings

3.4 Data processing, modeling and displays

Chapter 4 Small Roman Site in Croatia

Chapter 5 Roman Temple in England

Chapter 6 Early Colonial Site in Connecticut

Chapter 7 Medieval site in Ireland

Chapter 8 Hunter-gatherer Site in Colorado

Chapter 9 Conclusions

References