Ground–penetrating Radar for Geoarchaeology

There has long been a strong collaboration between geologists and archaeologists, and the sub–field of geoarchaeology is well developed as a discipline in its own right.  This book now bridges the gap between those fields and the geophysical technique of ground–penetrating radar (GPR), which allows for three–dimensional analysis of the ground to visualize both geological and archaeological materials.  This method has the ability to produce images of the ground that display complex packages of materials, and allows researchers to integrate sedimentary units, soils and associated archaeological features in ways not possible using standard excavation techniques.   The ability of GPR to visualize all these buried units  can help archaeologists place ancient people within the landscapes and environments of their time, and understand their burial and preservation phenomena in three–dimensions.

Readership: Advanced students in archaeology and geoarchaeology, as well as practicing archaeologists with an interest in GPS techniques.

 

About the Author

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1: Introduction to Ground–penetrating Radar in Geoarchaeology Studies

Introduction

Scales and applications of geoarchaeological studies with GPR

Basics of the GPR method

Integrating GPR with the geological and archaeological record

References

Chapter 2: Basic Method and Theory of Ground–penetrating Radar

Introduction

Production of reflections, depth of penetration and resolution

Data collection and recording

Production and processing of reflection profiles

More advanced data processing steps

Interpretation of GPR reflections in profiles

Resolution of stratigraphic units

Weather and moisture differences as they affect resolution

References

Chapter 3: Integration of Geology, Archaeology and Ground–penetrating Radar

Introduction

Examples of correlating radar reflections to define stratigraphic interfaces

References

Chapter 4: Fluvial, Alluvial Fan and Floodplain Environments

Introduction

Fluvial systems

Fluvial Terraces

Alluvial Fans

References

Chapter 5: Soils Horizons, Peat Bogs and Swamps

Introduction

Soil horizons

Swamps and peat bogs

References

Chapter 6: Beaches, Sand Dunes and other Coastal Environments

Introduction

Beaches

Erosion features along coasts

Lagoon and tidal flats

Aeolian dunes

References

Chapter 7: Lakes and Deltas

Introduction

Lakes

References

Chapter 8: Caves and Rock Shelters

Introduction

Rock Shelters

Mapping adjacent to rock shelters

Caves

References

Chapter 9: Anthropogenic Features and Urban Environments

Introduction

Middens

Anthropogenic deposits

Urban settings

References

Chapter 10: Conclusions

Collection of data for this book and the future of GPR in geoarchaeology

Environments where GPR is most applicable in geoarchaeology

The future of GPR in geoarchaeology

References

Glossary of Terms Used in this Book

Index

Lawrence B. Conyers is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Denver, Colorado, USA. Holding degrees in both geology and anthropology, with a focus on archaeology, his field experience has taken him around the world on hundreds of projects, many of which are used as examples in this book.  He is the author of four previous books on the ground–penetrating radar method and its interpretation.