3D imaging of an Iron Age archaeological site: GPR analysis at Muweilah, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Abstract

A GPR survey at Muweilah in the United Arab Emirates capably identified archaeological features such as walls and floors to a depth of several metres. Surveying conditions were favourable with sand cover allowing good radar penetration and strong reflections from targets. A feature of this work is that three-dimensional migrations of two dense data sets provided plan view slices at 10 cm intervals, in a manner which mirrors the excavation methodology employed by archaeologists. Presented also are problems and limitations encountered throughout the survey and subsequent data processing. It is conjectured that data quality is significantly improved when the area is flattened and de-vegetated prior to surveying. Although much of the interpretation is subject to ground-truthing, the preliminary analysis is extremely encouraging. It is observed however, that interpretation is complex and ambiguous if undertaken in isolation. Reliance on a conceptual archaeological model, a combination of other geophysical approaches, and ongoing ground-truthing are thus strongly recommended.