Detection of Archaeological Ruins Using Integrated Geophysical Surveys at the Pyramid of Senusret II, Lahun, Fayoum, Egypt

Abstract

Geophysical surveys were conducted in the Lahun area (Fayoum, Egypt). The Lahun area is known to have been the royal necropolis during the period of Senusret II (1897–1878 BC), where he built his pyramid. Integrated magnetic and gravity measurements were applied to investigate five locations in the area. The gravity survey was implemented in the areas where chambers, shafts, or cavity-like structures are expected, and magnetic survey was applied in the areas where mudbrick structures are expected. The magnetic survey was conducted using a Geoscan fluxgate gradiometer, whereas the gravity survey was conducted using a Scintrex CG-5 gravimeter. The geophysical survey successfully revealed anomalies that could be part of the trench between the Queen’s Pyramid and the Senusret II Pyramid, several pits in the eastern and southern sides of Senusret II Pyramid, two chambers that could be royal tombs, and the remains of three large mudbrick structures that could be ancient warehouses.