Geophysics - An Essential Tool for Modern Archaeology. A Case from Monte Prama (Sardinia, Italy)

Abstract

One of the most important archaeological sites of the western Mediterranean is located in the Sinis peninsula (Sardinia, Italy). A necropolis with monumental sculptures from the early Iron Age characterizes the archaeological area of “Monte Prama”. Above the graves (8th/9th century BC) a large paved area was built, likely for funeral games, where statues, baetylus and nuraghe models were put. In 2013 thanks to a joint project between the Universities of Sassari and Cagliari and the Archaeological Superintendence of Cagliari and Oristano starts a new geophysical and archaeological research. The area was full investigated by 15 channel GPR and partially by other geophysical methods. Results show the widespread presence of anomalies some well aligned to the excavated necropolis and some other distributed along regular patterns. It is doubtless that the archaeological area is more extent than assumed after the previous archaeological survey. Geophysics is confirmed to be essential tools in the archaeological prospection, mainly when it is necessary investigate over large areas. Particularly multi-channel GPR open new scenarios thanks to its characteristics of high spatial resolution, precise positioning of anomalies and fast acquisition speed.