Abstract
A geophysical investigation was carried across the M3 burial mound from Silvașu de Jos —Dealu Țapului, a tumuli necropolis in western Romania, where the presence of the Yamnaya people was certified archaeologically. For characterizing the inner structure of the mound, two conventional geophysical methods have been used: a geomagnetic survey and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). The results allowed the mapping of the central features of the mound and the establishment of the relative stratigraphy of the mantle, which indicated at least two chronological phases. Archaeological excavations performed in the central part of the mound accurately validated the non-invasive geophysical survey and offered a valuable chronological record of the long-forgotten archaeological monument. Geophysical approaches proved to be an invaluable instrument for the exploration of the monument and suggest a fast constructive tool for the investigation of the entire necropolis which currently has a number of distinct mounds.
Highlights
Burial mounds, called kurgans, barrows, or tumuli, are some of the most common examples of funerary archaeological objects
Electrical geophysical methods are worldwide applied on burial mounds; they are mostly used in the case of bigger tumuli, to recognize their construction and internal structure
The electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey precisely identified the central feature of the mound, which is visible on both Wenner and Dipole–Dipole electrode configurations, and outlined an inhumation grave-pit which was excavated at a later time after the mound was built
Summary
Called kurgans, barrows, or tumuli, are some of the most common examples of funerary archaeological objects. If preserved, they are usually easy to identify, due to their characteristic landform. Magnetometry has proven its great value in both delineation and characterization of the burial mounds. Features detectable with magnetometry are usually the remains of pits and ditches, some inner structures and burial chambers might be magnetically contrasting with the parent rock as well [8,9,10]. Electrical geophysical methods are worldwide applied on burial mounds; they are mostly used in the case of bigger tumuli, to recognize their construction and internal structure.
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