3D-ERT geophysical prospecting for the investigation of two terraces of an archaeological site northeast of Tlaxcala state, Mexico

Abstract

Teteles de Ocotitla is an archaeological site located in the central portion of the Sierra of Ocotitla, northeast of the State of Tlaxcala. This site is mostly composed of several artificial terraces with evidence of human occupation, probably contemporary with Teotihuacan in the Early Classic period. The aim of this research was to determine the existence and spatial distribution of non-visible archaeological structures on two of the upper terraces of the site, as well as to determine potential areas to carry out archaeological excavations. For this reason, the geophysical method of Electrical Resistivity Tomography in 3D was implemented, identifying four anomalous areas of interest as well as their respective depths. This non-destructive geophysical method is considered a rapid, self-sufficient, useful and non-invasive procedure to detect archaeological structures; therefore, it was essential to this research. The archaeological excavations confirmed the existence of platforms, walls and other pre-Hispanic elements, which proved the efficiency of the geophysical method in the characterization of buried pre-Hispanic architectural structures.