Multi-frequency Electromagnetic Induction Survey for Archaeological Prospection: Approach and Results in Han Hangu Pass and Xishan Yang in China

This study presents the potential of multi-frequency electromagnetic induction (EMI) in archaeology. EMI is currently less employed for archaeological prospection with respect to other geophysical techniques. It is capable of identifying shallow subsurface relics by simultaneously measuring the appa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Surveys in geophysics 2018-11, Vol.39 (6), p.1285-1302
Main Authors: Tang, Panpan, Chen, Fulong, Jiang, Aihui, Zhou, Wei, Wang, Hongchao, Leucci, Giovanni, de Giorgi, Lara, Sileo, Maria, Luo, Rupeng, Lasaponara, Rosa, Masini, Nicola
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anomalies
Archaeology
Astronomy
Buried structures
Caves
Conductivity
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Electrical conductivity
Electrical resistivity
Electromagnetic induction
Electromagnetic interference
Electromagnetic properties
Geophysics
Geophysics/Geodesy
Historic sites
Magnetic permeability
Magnetic susceptibility
Observations and Techniques
Oxides
Polls & surveys
Sandy loam
Sandy soils
Soil
Surveying
Surveys
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Summary:This study presents the potential of multi-frequency electromagnetic induction (EMI) in archaeology. EMI is currently less employed for archaeological prospection with respect to other geophysical techniques. It is capable of identifying shallow subsurface relics by simultaneously measuring the apparent electrical conductivity (EC a ) and apparent magnetic susceptibility (MS a ). Moreover, frequency sounding is able to quantify the depths and vertical shapes of buried structures. In this study, EMI surveys with five frequencies were performed at two heritage sites with different geological conditions: Han Hangu Pass characterized by cinnamon soil and Xishan Yang by sandy loams. In the first site, high EC a values were observed with variations in depth correlated to archaeological remains. Moreover, electromagnetic anomalies related to an ancient road and five kiln caves were identified. In the second site, an ancient tomb, indicating extremely low EC a and high MS a , was discovered. Its electromagnetic properties are attributed to the cavity and ferroferric oxides.
ISSN:0169-3298
1573-0956
DOI:10.1007/s10712-018-9471-5