Non-destructive archaeological and geophysical surveying methods for evaluation and preservation of buried cultural remains

Michel Dabas (1)

1 CRG - Centre de Recherches Géophysiques

Most of our cultural heritage lies ln the first three metres below the gcound surface. Preservation of this hidden heritage should begin by a precise location of possible archaeological sites. Geophyslcal methods can be useful in assessing possible archaeological areas . They could even give some insights about the space organlzatlon within the site. We discuss the definition of "site" and the different threats acting on them . An history of archaeology in France is taken as an example to show how we deal nowadays with the problem of destruction of sites. The last part deals with the different geophyslcal. methods we use on archaeological sites. The flrst to be considered is satellite imaging and air-horn visible or IR pictures. Through different examples, we show the applicablility of electrical, magnetic and electromagnetic surveys on archaeological targets .

Domaines: Géophysique [physics.geo-ph]; Archéologie et Préhistoire

Michel Dabas. Non-destructive archaeological and geophysical surveying methods for evaluation and preservation of buried cultural remains. Proceedings of the EEC-China Workshop on preservation of cultural heritage, pp.334-345, 1992. ⟨hal-02926421⟩