Abstract

Recently two marine magnetic surveys, combined with the use of a multi-beam sonar (Kongsberg Marittime EM 300 multibeam: 30 KHz frequency echosounder for hydrographic purposes; acoustic lobe composed of 128 beams able to cover a 150° sector) a side-scan sonar (Simrad MS 992 dual-frequency sidescan sonar with echo sounder transducers 150 Hz and 330 KHz) and a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV – a mobile tools used in environments which are too dangerous for humans), were executed in two sites respectively in the Ligurian Sea and the Asinara Gulf. The aim of these investigations was to test modern instrumentations and set new working procedures for searching underwater cultural resources. The collected and processed magnetic data yielded very satisfactory results: we detected submerged and buried features of cultural interest at both sites, at depths of 40 m and 400 m respectively.

Highlights

  • IntroductionThe development and diffusion of marine geophysical investigations for searching underwater and buried archaeological features (i.e. Chahuan and Almeida, 1988; Quinn et al, 2000) are hindered by the complexity of the execution and the very high costs involved

  • The development and diffusion of marine geophysical investigations for searching underwater and buried archaeological features (i.e. Chahuan and Almeida, 1988; Quinn et al, 2000) are hindered by the complexity of the execution and the very high costs involved.A recent scientific cooperation among some Italian research institutions and the Italian Navy has been crucial in overcoming these obstaclesThe present paper discusses subjects connected with the use of modern instrumentations and technologies and with appropriate data acquisition procedures

  • The use of advanced technologies and appropriate data acquisition procedures were combined to execute a deep (350 m) magnetic survey resulting in fruitful finding of an extensive heap of Roman amphorae

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Summary

Introduction

The development and diffusion of marine geophysical investigations for searching underwater and buried archaeological features (i.e. Chahuan and Almeida, 1988; Quinn et al, 2000) are hindered by the complexity of the execution and the very high costs involved. The present paper discusses subjects connected with the use of modern instrumentations and technologies and with appropriate data acquisition procedures. The use of advanced technologies and appropriate data acquisition procedures were combined to execute a deep (350 m) magnetic survey resulting in fruitful finding of an extensive heap of Roman amphorae. These satisfactory results establish an optimum starting-point to continue this interesting research in a branch of Marine Applied Geophysics which strongly requires considerable economic undertaking, a multi-disciplinary approach and the use of modern technologies

Aspects of the marine magnetic survey
Testing the gradiometer configuration: detection of a shipwreck
Technological improvement: the amphorae site
Conclusions

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