GPR investigation at two sites of archaeological interest in Vadnagar, India

Abstract

This study presents the findings of a GPR investigation at two archaeological sites in Vadnagar, India; Area 1: Gaon Tal near a Hindu Temple (23°47'19.57″N; 72°38'47.75″E) and Area 2: Baba No Tekdo locality II (23°47'30.53″N; 72°38'55.59″E). Area 1 was surveyed in two plots of dimensions 16m × 10m and 12m × 16m, and Area 2 in a single plot of size 40m × 36m. Total seventy-two profiles were taken using GSSI 3000 GPR system with an antenna of 200MHz frequency at a transect spacing of 2m in two orthogonal directions. Raw GPR data was processed using commercial software RADAN 7. The GPR results indicate stratification in both the areas which may be attributed to the change in soil layers or presence of a feature like brick platform. Part of Area 1 is also characterized by multiple reflections indicating the presence of metallic objects at shallow depth whereas Area 2 shows reflections characterizing wall-like features. It is pertinent to mention that the present study covers only a small area of potential sites of archaeological interest in Vadnagar.