Geophysical investigations near the ancient Agora at the city of Argos, Greece

Abstract

It is possible to reduce risk in archaeological excavations by identifying areas of high potential at an early stage and locating trenches accordingly. Towards this goal, a non-invasive geophysical survey was carried out at the city of Argos, which from the beginning of Archaic Times and through to Classical Times was one of the most prominent city-states. Based on historical and archaeological evidence, two sites were chosen near the ancient Agora of Argos. Total field and gradient magnetic measurements were collected over several grids, with 1 m spacing between measurement points. Representative samples were taken for laboratory measurements of the low-field magnetic susceptibility. Mapping, filtering and inversion procedures of the magnetic data have been used in tandem. The data management and cartographic representation was performed using Geographic Information Systems, where a geographic database was created, including all available information for the broader Argos area. The results of the geophysical survey were able to highlight the presence of linear and square structures possibly representing inhabitance ruins, namely small building remnants and road foundations according to observations from neighbouring excavations. Thus, the authors were able to suggest to the archaeologists excavation tests on the basis of the residual magnetic map.