Ground-penetrating Radar and Magnetometry for Buried Landscape Analysis

This book presents the integrated use of magnetometry and ground-penetrating radar geophysical mapping to understand the human presence within buried archaeological landscapes. Ground-penetrating radar can be used to identify buried living surfaces, geological stratigraphy and the architectural remains of sites in three-dimensions. Magnetometry can produce images denoting differences on the composition of those materials, both anthropogenic and natural, but with more limited three-dimensional resolution. The integration of the two has a unique ability to resolve and interpret these buried materials, differentiated between the human-caused and natural layers, and place all buried features within historic landscapes. The final product of geophysical integration, along with some limited subsurface testing, produces a holistic analysis of human adaptations to, and modifications of, the ancient landscape. Examples are shown from sites in Roman Croatia and Britain, Medieval Ireland, Colonial Connecticut, and an Archaic site in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. These examples from very different environments, time periods and cultural groups illustrate how the integrated geophysical methodology can interpret, on a scale approaching many hectares, the ancient landscapes within which people lived.

Lawrence B. Conyers is currently Professor and Department Chair at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Denver, USA. He holds an M.S. degree in Geology (1975) from Arizona State University and an M.A. and PhD degrees in Anthropology (1993, 1995) from the University of Colorado, Boulder. His main research interests are ground-penetrating radar for (geo)archaeology and digital archaeological mapping. He has authored or coauthored 4 books on ground-penetrating radar, 16 refereed journal articles, many conference proceedings and other articles, and contributed to 6 edited books.