Ground Penetrating Radar in Detection of Cultural Layer at Niah, Sarawak

Abstract

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is one of the geophysical methods applied in subsurface study at Niah, Sarawak. The study was done within Painted Cave area with total of 8 parallel survey lines and spacing between lines is 3 m. This study implemented MALA 500MHz shielded antenna to detect cultural layer of burial site and thickness of overburden. The results show the overburden layer detected with thickness of < 0.4 m which made up of alluvium. The overburden layer is suggested consist of cultural layer. Rock head of limestone bedrock detected at depth 0.1 - 0.4 m. There are anomalies spotted at survey line L1 - L4 m with depth < 0.2 m that may due to grave goods such as metals items, pottery or stoneware.