Ground‐penetrating radar reflections and their archaeological significances at two ancient necropolis tombs in Kharga Oasis, Egypt

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study presents results of ground‐penetrating radar surveys conducted for the exploration of unexcavated tombs at the Kharga Oasis. These surveys were carried out on two ancient tombs. The first site, located in Labakha, is already excavated, while the second site, located in Gebel El‐Siwa, is still unexcavated. The goal of this study was to investigate the possibility of the existence of unexcavated tombs in Labakha, as well as the depth, extension and constituents of an unexcavated tomb in Gebel El‐Siwa. Ground‐penetrating radar measurements were carried out using a single‐channel system and the common offset approach. Based on the results obtained from our measurements using 200‐ and 400‐MHz antennae in Labakha, a detailed survey was carried out on the unexcavated tomb in Gebel El‐Siwa using a cart‐mounted 400‐MHz antenna system. 2D ground‐penetrating radar profiles were acquired and subsequently processed and interpreted. Isolated reflections could be identified. Lateral continuity of the reflections could be observed only through comparative analyses of the adjacent scans. By doing so, the remnants of the two tombs became easier to correlate. Two ground‐penetrating radar anomalies could be detected in the archaeological site of Gebel El‐Siwa; these anomalies are probably caused by a nearby tomb. By correlating the obtained data with the archaeological knowledge of the discoveries made in the surrounding areas, it was possible to interpret the linear reflectors as to be caused by the tomb. This study has been useful in providing archaeologists with information on the expression of this type of ancient Egyptian necropolis tombs at Kharga.