Geophysical survey of Tunnug mound periphery, Tuva, Russia

Abstract

The article presents the results of applying integrated geophysical approaches, in particular, magnetometry and ground penetrating radar (GPR) to study complex ritual and funeral architecture of early Scythian mound Tunnug 1 located in the Uyuk river valley, the Republic of Tuva. The total area of the geophysical survey was more than 12,000 m2. The results of the survey show that the simultaneous use of two geophysical methods, based on different physical principles, gives a full view of the structure of such a complex burial as an early Scythian mound periphery. GPR and magnetometric measurements complement each other and increase the reliability of a detailed geophysical study of complicated archaeological features in difficult, poorly drained, swampy areas and in the presence of permafrost with a nonuniform depth of thawing. GPR adequately displays all the characteristic of subsurface stone structures recorded using magnetometry which is the most popular method of geophysical survey of mounds. It is shown that the use of GPR for this type of archaeological sites is currently underestimated. The results of geophysical work revealed the location of archaeological features at the mound periphery, which will allow a more efficient and justified selection of the excavation sites.