APPLIED GEOPHYSICS FOR ARCHAEOLOGY
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher:
Sebastiano IMPOSA
Expected Learning Outcomes
The course has the declared objective of providing
adequate knowledge on the use of the main techniques of non-invasive
geophysical investigations in the application field, aimed at the
reconstruction of the subsoil to highlight the existence of any anomalies
related to the presence of buried structures, bringing contributions in the
design, planning and construction phases of archaeological excavations. The use
of geophysical methodologies varies according to the different lithological,
topographic, morphological conditions present in the sites to be investigated
and the target to be discovered, so it is essential to achieve a good knowledge
of the investigation methodologies. This will allow you to acquire a whole
series of skills that will allow you to be in a position to select the
geophysical methodology that best suits you, for the intended purpose and its
application capacity.
Based on the Dublin descriptors the objectives of the
course are:
1) Knowledge and understanding. Provide students with
knowledge of the historical development of the Mediterranean.
2) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. to
make the student able to consciously tackle research in the field of Greek
history.
3) Autonomy of judgment. Develop a critical approach
in students.
4) Communication skills. Provide students with specialized
vocabulary to enable them to communicate adequately to the scientific community.
5)
Learning skills. Develop autonomy in the ability to identify the most
representative scientific texts and understand them adequately.
Course Structure
Lectures, data acquisition in archaeological areas, processing and
interpretation of data in the laboratory.
Required Prerequisites
No prerequisites required.
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance is not compulsory.
Detailed Course Content
Geolectric
Methods: The
electrical resistivity of rocks. Archie's formula. Instrumentation for
geoelectric surveys. Energizing section. Receiving section. Signal acquisition
in cases of low signal/noise ratio. Resistivity method. Electrode devices.
Resistivity profiles and surveys. The acquisition of data in the countryside.
Data analysis and interpretation. The use of software for inversion and
interpretation. Maps of apparent resistivity, pseudosections. Reconstruction of
the substrate and choice of the most appropriate geoelectric quadripole for
archaeological surveys. Choice of methodologies to be used in the countryside
for the optimization of surveys. 2D and 3D electrical tomography. Case study.
Active
and passive seismic methods: Principles of elasticity theory. Elastic constants. Wave equation.
Volume waves and surface waves. Wave propagation. Snell's law. Fermat's
principle. Seismic instrumentation. Seismic sources. Campaign methods in refractive
seismics. Choice of methodologies to be used in the countryside for the
optimization of investigations for the identification and delimitation of
crypts and / or buried cavities. Seismic tomography. Effects due to
heterogeneity, geometric and topographic irregularities caused by the presence
of cavities through the application of Nakamura's technique or spectral ratios
(HVSR).
Electromagnetic
Methods: The
Ground Penetrating Radar (georadar). Features of the tool and principles.
Configuration of transmitting and receiving antennas. Choice of antenna
frequency. Acquisition of radar profiles, processing and interpretation of
data. Considerations and limits on prospecting G.P.R. Case study.
Notes on
other geophysical methodologies such as magnetometry to define magnetic and
gradient maps in order to outline the presence of archaeological remains;
ultrasound to characterize and define the thicknesses and characteristics of
structural elements.
Textbook Information
Mod.
A (2 CFU)
- Coco G., Corrao M. “Applied
geophysics with particular reference to seismic, electrical, electromagnetic
and geothermal prospecting. Flaccovio Dario editore, pp. 240, 2009.
Mod.
B (2 CFU)
-
Corrao M., Coco G. (2021): Applied
Geophysics - III edizione. Flaccovio Dario editore, pp. 272.
Mod.
C (2 CFU)
- Federica Boschi 2020: “Archaeology without
excavation. Geophysics and non-invasive investigations”, Bononia University Press, pp. 292.
Please remember that in compliance with art 171
L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or
journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.
For further information on sanctions and regulations
concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee
Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione
Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian
Association on Copyright).
All
the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.
Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
Coco G., Corrao M. | Geofisica applicata con particolare riferimento alle prospezioni
sismiche, elettriche, elettromagnetiche e geotermiche. | Flaccovio Dario | 2009 | |
Corrao M., Coco G. | Geofisica Applicata - III edizione | Flaccovio Dario editore | 2021 | |
Federica Boschi | Archeologia senza scavo. Geofisica e indagini non invasive | Bononia University Press | 2020 | |
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References |
1 | Introduction to the course and importance of Geophysics applied to Archaeology | Slide |
2 | Mod.
A (2 CFU) | - Coco G., Corrao M. “Applied
geophysics with particular reference to seismic, electrical, electromagnetic
and geothermal prospecting. Flaccovio Dario editore, pp. 240, 2009. |
3 | Mod.
B (2 CFU) | Corrao M., Coco G. (2021): Applied Geophysics - III edizione. Flaccovio Dario editore, pp. 272. |
4 | Mod.
C (2 CFU)
| Mod.
C (2 CFU)
- Federica Boschi 2020: “Archaeology without
excavation. Geophysics and non-invasive investigations”, Bononia University Press, pp. 292. |
Learning Assessment
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
- resistivity notes
- electric tomographyes 2D and 3D
- Seismic tomography
- Georadar prospections
VERSIONE IN ITALIANO