Archaeological Prospection in Wetlands—Experiences and Observations from Ground-Penetrating Radar Surveys in Norwegian Bogs

Manuel Gabler,Nils Ole Sundet,Claes Olof Johan Uhnér,Immo Trinks,Monica Kristiansen,Pål Nymoen,Alois Hinterleitner

doi:10.3390/rs13163170

Abstract

Wetlands are of immense importance for archaeological research due to excellent preservation conditions for organic material. However, the detection and registration of archaeological remains in waterlogged areas, such as peatlands, bogs, mires, or lakeshores are very challenging. Alternative methods that can support traditional archaeological registrations and that can help to survey wetlands more efficiently are needed. One goal of the “Arkeologi på nye veier” (Archaeology on new ways) project, initiated by Nye Veier AS, was to develop and test a practical solution for non-invasive geophysical surveys in wetland environments in support of traditional archaeological investigations. For that purpose, a custom GPR system for wetland investigations was assembled, tested and applied at Gausdal (Flekkefjord municipality, Agder county) in Norway within the E39-southwest infrastructure project. The GPR survey resulted in promising data, clearly showing the buried remains of an old road within the investigated area. This case study demonstrated the potential of GPR measurements in peatlands as a valuable asset for archaeological registration projects in such environments. However, despite these first encouraging results, wetlands remain very challenging environments, and realistic expectations, as well as a good understanding of the potential and limitations of this approach are a prerequisite for meaningful surveys.

Highlights

Within the framework of the road development project E39-southwest between the Norwegian cities of Kristiansand and Stavanger, the state-founded construction companyNye Veier AS in cooperation with the Directorate of Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren) initiated the project “Arkeologi på nye veier” (Archaeology on new ways)
Results of the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) Test Surveys Conducted at Farriseidet
The investigations at Farriseidet showed that the setup of the GPR system in a sled worked very well in the wetland environment

Summary

Introduction

Nye Veier AS in cooperation with the Directorate of Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren) initiated the project “Arkeologi på nye veier” (Archaeology on new ways). One goal of this project was to test different non-invasive prospection and investigation methods for exploration archaeology, and to integrate them into the traditional archaeological surveying approach. The Norwegian cultural heritage law (Kulturminneloven §9) obligates an archaeological evaluation in case of planned public and larger private developments, as well as changes in zoning plans of a certain area. The goal of the archaeological evaluation is to assess whether the planned development conflicts with automatically protected cultural heritage monuments (i.e., all monuments and artefacts pre-dating the year 1537). Remote Sens. 2021, 13, 3170 the evaluation form the basis for the respective county archaeologists and responsible archaeological museums, to make further decisions on the subsequent procedure, and to plan archaeological excavations where necessary.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion