Application of the self-potential method to archaeological prospection: Some case histories

DRAHOR M. G.

Archaeological Prospection, vol.11, no.2, pp.77-105, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 11 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/arp.224
  • Journal Name: Archaeological Prospection
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, Anthropological Literature, Art Source
  • Page Numbers: pp.77-105
  • Keywords: Anatolia, Archaeological prospection, Electrochemical potential, Electrokinetic potential, Self-potential
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The self-potential (SP) method is very rarely used in archaeological prospection because related phenomena are not very well known. The aim of this study is to discuss the different SP phenomena that might be observed at archaeological sites, and therefore the SP method was applied at different archaeological sites in Anatolia (Turkey), such as Acemhöyü k, Amorium, Burgaz and Ulucakhöyük archaeological areas and the Sinop amphorae workshop site. These studies indicated that SP anomalies existed over both burned or unburned materials at archaeological sites, such as walls, pits, kilns, etc. Furthermore, SP anomalies were also found over areas of complex soil distribution and visible physical changes on the surface. Other kinds of SP anomalies were also observed in those archaeological structures located very close to the coastline. These results were confirmed by archaeological excavations, which were carried out after geophysical surveys in the areas studied. All the studies supported that electrokinetic and electrochemical potentials might be the main cause of SP anomalies in the buried archaeological structures. The SP data collected with the gradient and total measurement techniques were processed by forward and inversion methods, and the main SP parameters (h, Q and x0) were determined. In addition, the SP results were compared with other applied geophysical methods such as resistivity and magnetic. © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.