Integration, Correlation, and Interpretation of Geophysical and Archaeological Data at Los Naranjos, Honduras

Abstract

During the summer of 2003, ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetometry surveys were conducted at the Maya archaeological site of Los Naranjos on the shore of Lake Yojoa in Central Honduras. Los Naranjos was occupied from the Early Formative to the Early Postclassic Periods and is of particular interest as Olmec‐style artifacts have been recovered in situ at the site. GPR surveys were collected with 50, 100, 200, and 250 MHz antennae in both 2‐D grids and linear profiles. Results of GPR, magnetometry, and resistivity surveys are being integrated with archaeological data to improve our understanding of the spatial relationships of partially excavated features as well as to target areas for future excavation. The surveys covered both apparent archeological and natural features, with GPR penetration in excess of 5 meters at 100 MHz. GPR proved especially effective in both delineating quaternary stratigraphy and mapping localized buried features. Correlation between magnetic and resistivity anomalies and GPR‐imaged features is highly variable, suggesting that a range of lithologies and artifact compositions are being imaged. Both types of data are essential guides for future archaeological excavations, with calibration boreholes and excavation test units planned for 2006.