The use of GPR in the identification and study of ancient graves within the Fofanovsky necropolis

The article discusses the intended purpose, issues of substantiation of the methodology and technique of geo-radar sounding in the identification and study of ancient graves on the eastern flank of the Fofanovsky burial ground. The possibilities of geo-radar sounding using the OKO-2 georadar in the search for inhomogeneities in the upper part of the geological section are presented. The main types of interference are considered and the main factors that must be taken into account when conducting surveys in a wooded area are shown. Based on the results of experimental work with various antennas, the main features of the areal research methodology were determined (observation network, frequency range of recorded vibrations, optimal registration parameters, methods of topographic mapping, etc.). A graph of field data processing using a specialized GeoScan-32 package was formed, including: data editing; scaling; zero-phase deconvolution; gain control; spectral analysis; bandpass filtering, velocity analyses, fan and coherent filtering; migration. The velocities of electromagnetic waves and the patterns of their changes in area were determined from diffracted waves, which ensured the correct transformation of time sections into deep ones. Based on the results of the interpretation of radar images, 5 sites of possible burials were identified on a number of profiles. During excavations at three of them at depths of 0.7-0.9 m, burials were found - two single and one collective. Two anomalies were caused by buried root systems. The age of the graves is estimated to be within 6,000 BP. As a result, georadilocation probing provided purposeful archaeological research, unambiguous localization of burials and, as a result, a significant reduction in the volume of overburden work.

1. Bazarov B.A., Tat'kov I.G., Bazarov A.D. (2015) Application of geophysical exploration methods in archaeology: experience of outstripping studies of Xiongnu archaeological monument in Transbaikalia. Eurasia in the Kynozoy. Stratigraphy, palaeoecology, culture. No. 4. P. 47-57. (In Russ.). EDN: VPUNUP.

2. Glazunov V.V., Gots I.A., Krol' B.I., Sambuev B.S. (1981) Method of finding the tombs of the Hersonissos necropolis with seismic exploration. Regional geology of some regions of the USSR. Iss. 5. Moscow: Moscow State University. P. 93-99. (In Russ.).

3. Dmitriev A.A. (2007) Radar survey of the site adjacent to the Spassky Church in Irkutsk. Geomodel 2007 - 9th EAGE science and applied research conference on oil and gas geological exploration and development, Sep 2007, cp-331-00020. Gelendzhik: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.3997/2214-4609.201405417.

4. Dmitriev A.A. (2015) Georadar technology application in solving archaeological problems. News of the Irkutsk State Technical University. No. 7. P. 12-18. (In Russ.). EDN: UBLOGH.

5. Dmitriev A.G. (2019) Geophysical support for archeological survey of the territory of former Lutheran cemetery in Irkutsk city. Journal of the Laboratory of Ancient Technologies. Vol. 15. No. 3. P. 103–114. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.21285/2415-8739-2019-3-103-114. EDN: EOQKYK.

6. Dmitriev А.G., Bogdanov А.V., Dmitriev А.А. (2020) Geophysical research in the study of burial places of victims of political repression. Reports of the Laboratory of Ancient Technologies. Vol. 16. No. 3. P. 94–111. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.21285/2415-8739-2020-3-94-111. EDN: QBLJKW.

7. Zurbin I.V. (2004) Geophysics in Archaeology. Methods, technologies and results of application. Izhevsk : Udmurt Institute of History, Language and Literature of the Ural Republic of Russia. 152 p. (In Russ.).

8. Lbova L.V., Zhambaltarova E.D., Konev V.P. (2008) Burial complexes of the Neolithic - early Bronze Age of Transbaikalia (formation of archetypes of primitive culture). Novosibirsk: Institute of Archeology and Etnography. 247 p. (In Russ.). EDN: QPJVRV.

9. Miklyaev A.M., Gerasimova N.G. (1968) Experience of the use of phosphate analysis method in the exploration of ancient settlements in the territory of the Pskov region. Soviet Archaeology. No. 3. P. 251-255. (In Russ.).

10. Neradovskii L.G. (2009) Methodological guide for studying perennials-glacial rocks by dynamic radar. Moscow: Russian Academy of Sciences. 337 p. (In Russ.).

11. Skakun N.N., Tarasov V.A. (2000) The results of magnetic prospecting and magnetic susceptibility measurements at the Bodaki site. Archaeological Notes. St. Petersburg: Institute of Material History. Iss. 7. P. 60-69. (In Russ.). EDN: TKICTV.

12. Slukin V.M. (1988) Non-destructive methods of architectural monuments research. Sverdlovsk: The Urals State University. 219 p. (In Russ.).

13. Stanyukovich A.K. (1996) Russian Archaeological Geophysics. Geophysics. No. 2. P. 57-64. (In Russ.). EDN: TOEUOX.

14. Stanyukovich A.K. (1997) Basic methods of field archaeological geophysics. Natural-scientific methods in field archaeology. Moscow: Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Iss. 1. P. 19-42. (In Russ.).

15. Starovoitov A.V., Valiullina K.Z., Oshkin A.N., Pyatilova A.M. (2019) Sedimentary cover structure of fresh water lakes of Kindo Peninsula near the White Sea biological station of Moscow State University according to georadiolocation and drilling data. The Bulletin of the Moscow University. Ser. 4. Geology. No. 6. P. 87-98. (In Russ.). EDN: VTLSGR.

16. Finkel'shtein M.I., Kutev V.A., Zolotarev V.P. (1986) Application of subsurface radar sounding in engineering geology. Moscow: Nedra. 126, [2] p. (In Russ.).

17. Frantov G.S., Pinkevich A.A. (1966) Geophysics in Archaeology. Leningrad: Nedra. 212 p. (In Russ.).

18. Garcia-Fernandez M., Alvarez-Lopez Y., Las Heras F. (2019) Autonomous Airborne 3D SAR Imaging System for Subsurface Sensing: UWB-GPR on Board a UAV for Landmine and IED Detection. Remote Sensing, 11(20), p. 235711. DOI: 10.3390/rs11202357.

19. Kozhevnikov, NO, Kharinsky, AV & Snopkov, SV (2019) Geophysical prospection and archaeological excavation of ancient iron smelting sites in the Barun-Khal valley on the western shore of Lake Baikal (Olkhon region, Siberia). Archaeological Prospection, 26(2), p. 103-119. DOI: 10.1002/arp.1727.

20. McKerrell, H. and McCawley, J. C. (1971) “Soil phosphorus levels at archaeological sites”. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. 104, no. 2, pp. 301–306. DOI: 10.9750/PSAS.104.301.306.