A 3D geo-electric resistivity approach to assess Neolithic/ Palaeolithic sites
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 07/11/2019

The study area close to Manfredonia, Southern Gargano, Italy is characterized by important archaeological sites (Occhiopinto Cave). We investigated the area north of Manfredonia in order to get an idea of cavities and their spatial distribution in the subsurface. A parallel setting of transects was applied in order to perform a 3D model of the underground structures. Therefore three different arrays were tested, Dipol-Dipol; Wenner and Schlumberger. The utilized electrode spacing for the surface transects was 2m. In order to calibrate and validate the analysis we made 3 core drillings yielding information on the stratigraphy and cavities in the underground. With the given value ranges and the respective electric resistivity arrays we were able to identify the location and depth of the major cavities in 3D for a ca. 25 ha test plot area. To carry out the 3D modelling we used an inverse modelling method taking into account different information from the 3 arrays and the core drilling for calibration purposes. The method clearly shows the advantage of these techniques to explore underground features and detect new archaeologically relevant cavities in the karstic area of Manfredonia. Moreover, we present the results in combination with additional environmental reconstructions.

Full title: A 3D geo-electric resistivity approach to assess Neolithic/ Palaeolithic sites in the Southern Gargano Area, Apulia, Italy 

(Ivano Rellini, Michael Maerker, Patrizio Torrese)