Archaeological GPR investigation at Rennes-le-Chateau, France

GPR surveys were conducted at two sites within the hillside town of Rennes-le-Château, France. The town is linked with many traditions and mysteries associated with the Templar movement and its treasure, including according to some documents, the possible location of the Holy Grail. Two locations were chosen for the initial project: the Tour Magdala and the Church of St. Mary Magdalen. The survey at the Tour Magdala was carried out to image any features that may be located beneath the tower floor or around its outer base. Results indicate the tower is built on the local bedrock with possible surface and subsurface disruptions in the local stratigraphy, while 3D cubes show a hyperbolic feature, which may indicate the possibility of a buried feature. The survey at the Church was carried out to image any features that may be located beneath the church floor. 2D and 3D images show a subsurface anomaly (hyperbolic feature) that extends along several parallel lines that may possibly indicate a burial crypt.