Radiating Encouragement: Further Investigation Into the Application of Gamma Ray Spectroscopy for Archaeological Prospection at the Roman Town of Silchester

IF 2.1 3区 地球科学 0 ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeological Prospection Pub Date : 2024-08-08 DOI:10.1002/arp.1950
Victoria Robinson, Stuart Black, Robert Fry, Helen Beddow, Robert Clark, Mike Fulford
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Abstract

This study builds on a preliminary investigation into the efficacy of gamma radiation surveying as a complementary tool for archaeological prospection. Improved surveying and data processing methods were implemented, including the use of a vehicle-mounted Groundhog surveying system, use of alternative software tools and examination of the impacts of individual radionuclides. The study focuses on a range of targets within Insulae VII, XXXV and XXXIII in Silchester Roman town, Hampshire. Targets of interest included a polygonal temple, a house, ditches (including an Iron Age defensive ditch) and several Roman roads. While the survey revealed no measurable differences in the gamma radionuclide content of less substantial structures (such as the temple and house) and the surrounding soil, it successfully delineated major structures. The Roman roads, Iron Age defensive ditch and potentially an indication of a historic field boundary not present in modern records were clearly visible in the generated visualisations. The roads and field boundary appear as distinct linear features of depleted radioactivity. The location of the Iron Age ditch correlates with an area of elevated radioactivity. Notably, the technique not only successfully identified archaeological features but was also able to indicate differences in the properties of similar targets such as variations in road thickness. Further, the gamma radiation data indicates variations in the local geology attributable to historic changes in land use and geochemical composition. This latest study corroborates the findings of the preliminary investigation, demonstrating replicability, scalability and ability to enhance output data quality. Further research, including sampling and non-destructive analysis of materials from the site, is needed to better explain observed results.

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放射鼓励:进一步调查伽马射线光谱学在西尔切斯特古罗马城考古勘探中的应用
这项研究是在对伽马辐射测量作为考古勘探辅助工具的有效性进行初步调查的基础上进行的。研究采用了改进的勘测和数据处理方法,包括使用车载 Groundhog 勘测系统、替代软件工具以及对个别放射性核素影响的研究。这项研究的重点是汉普郡西尔切斯特罗马镇 Insulae VII、XXXV 和 XXXIII 内的一系列目标。感兴趣的目标包括一座多边形神庙、一座房屋、沟渠(包括一条铁器时代的防御沟)和几条罗马道路。虽然勘测结果显示,不太重要的建筑物(如神庙和房屋)与周围土壤的伽马放射性核素含量没有明显的差别,但却成功地划定了主要建筑物的范围。在生成的可视化图像中,罗马时期的道路、铁器时代的防御壕沟以及现代记录中可能没有的历史田地边界都清晰可见。道路和田地边界呈现出明显的线性特征,放射性耗尽。铁器时代壕沟的位置与高放射性区域相关。值得注意的是,该技术不仅能成功识别考古特征,还能显示类似目标的属性差异,如道路厚度的变化。此外,伽马辐射数据还显示了当地地质的变化,这些变化可归因于土地利用和地球化学成分的历史性变化。这项最新研究证实了初步调查的结果,证明了可复制性、可扩展性和提高输出数据质量的能力。为了更好地解释观察到的结果,需要开展进一步的研究,包括对现场材料进行取样和非破坏性分析。
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来源期刊
Archaeological Prospection
Archaeological Prospection 地学-地球科学综合
CiteScore
3.90
自引率
11.10%
发文量
31
审稿时长
>12 weeks
期刊介绍: The scope of the Journal will be international, covering urban, rural and marine environments and the full range of underlying geology. The Journal will contain articles relating to the use of a wide range of propecting techniques, including remote sensing (airborne and satellite), geophysical (e.g. resistivity, magnetometry) and geochemical (e.g. organic markers, soil phosphate). Reports and field evaluations of new techniques will be welcomed. Contributions will be encouraged on the application of relevant software, including G.I.S. analysis, to the data derived from prospection techniques and cartographic analysis of early maps. Reports on integrated site evaluations and follow-up site investigations will be particularly encouraged. The Journal will welcome contributions, in the form of short (field) reports, on the application of prospection techniques in support of comprehensive land-use studies. The Journal will, as appropriate, contain book reviews, conference and meeting reviews, and software evaluation. All papers will be subjected to peer review.
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