The interface of geophysical & geochemical survey at Scottish archaeological sites : exploring the potential of an integrated approach for archaeological prospection
This thesis illustrates how geophysical and geochemical methods can be combined to study archaeological sites and obtain enhanced interpretations of the results using the complementary information they provide. Whilst these two disciplines tend to be used independently, this thesis brings them together, with a view to exploring their relationships and developing strategies that lead to non-destructive and cost-effective surveys. The investigation focuses on the correlation of geophysical and geochemical results over common archaeological features and their analysis using soil geochemistry in order to understand the factors of contrast involved in their detection. Five case study sites in Scotland were selected, each one presenting a specific challenge to be assessed by the integrated methodology developed in this thesis. The research employed a range of geophysical (earth resistance, magnetometry, magnetic susceptibility, FDEM and GPR) and geochemical (total phosphate and multi-element analysis) techniques routinely used in archaeological prospection. The different geophysical responses obtained over targeted archaeological features were considered with respect to soil texture, organic matter content, pH,
Cuenca-Garcia, Carmen
CC Archaeology
The interface of geophysical & geochemical survey at Scottish archaeological sites : exploring the potential of an integrated approach for archaeological prospection. This thesis illustrates how geophysical and geochemical methods can be combined to study archaeological sites and obtain enhanced interpretations of the results using the complementary information they provide. Whilst these two disciplines tend to be used independently, this thesis brings them together, with a view to exploring their relationships and developing strategies that lead to non-destructive and cost-effective surveys. The investigation focuses on the correlation of geophysical and geochemical results over common archaeological features and their analysis using soil geochemistry in order to understand the factors of contrast involved in their detection. Five case study sites in Scotland were selected, each one presenting a specific challenge to be assessed by the integrated methodology developed in this thesis. The research employed a range of geophysical (earth resistance, magnetometry, magnetic susceptibility, FDEM and GPR) and geochemical (total phosphate and multi-element analysis) techniques routinely used in archaeological prospection. The different geophysical responses obtained over targeted archaeological features were considered with respect to soil texture, organic matter content, pH,
interface geophysical geochemical survey scottish archaeological_site explore_potential integrated archaeological_prospection illustrates geophysical geochemical method_combine study archaeological_site obtain enhanced interpretation use complementary information_provide whilst discipline tend use independently bring_together view explore_relationship develop strategy lead non_destructive cost effective survey investigation focus correlation geophysical geochemical common archaeological_feature analysis use soil geochemistry order factor contrast involved detection five_case study site scotland select presenting specific challenge assess integrate developed thesis employ_range geophysical earth resistance magnetic_susceptibility gpr geochemical total phosphate multi element analysis techniques routinely used archaeological_prospection different geophysical response obtain archaeological_feature consider respect soil texture organic_matter content