Site Identification and Correlation Using Geoarchaeological Methods at the Cabeço do Porto Marinho (CPM) Locality, Rio Maior, Portugal

Several geoarchaeological techniques have been employed in evaluating an open-air site within a uniform sand matrix, near Rio Maior, Portugal. Electrical resistivity data, acquired at the Upper Palaeolithic site complex of Cabeço do Porto Marinho (CPM), delineated an important new occupational locus. This result was confirmed, first by auger testing which recovered subsurface artefacts, and then by direct excavation. In addition, 107 samples were recovered at the site for magnetic susceptibility measurements. Comparisons between magnetic susceptibility profiles from two loci, including the new area at CPM, show distinctive patterns which allow direct correlation between the occupation areas. These methods provide quick and inexpensive means for investigators to evaluate new sites or to correlate between and within sites, without resorting to other more time-consuming and expensive techniques.     

Integrated near-surface geophysical survey of the Cathedral of Mallorca

This paper describes an integrated near-surface geophysical study carried out in order to obtain high-resolution images of the shallow subsurface under and around the Cathedral of Mallorca. The study was a part of a global project focused on determining the state of the building structure and on evaluating the Cathedral's dynamical behaviour (natural frequencies and vibration modes). Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and the capacitively coupled resistivity method were used to obtain 2D images of the shallow subsurface. Refraction microtremor array measurements (ReMi) were also used to characterize the rock and soil properties and several invasive boreholes provided detailed and exact information on the stratigraphy. The information from the geophysical data was used to determine a final model of the ground, with indications of the most likely vulnerable zones.