Before an archaeological dig begins there must be a set purpose for the dig, and a survey has to be done on the potential dig site. In modern archaeology this survey is generally done by measuring the area’s resistivity. The purpose of the resistivity method is to make observations on a soil’s electro-physical properties by sending a current from one probe to the other. The resistance is measured in ohms by a voltmeter. Electrical current travels differently through different types of soil and geological features. Gathering observations about how the current travels can provide an image of what lies underneath the topsoil that we walk around on all the time. Originally this method was mainly used in the geological field and in mining, but now is mostly used in the field of archaeology. Archaeology is expensive, but the resistivity method is a great money and time saver. Using geophysical instruments archaeologists can see images similar to those created by sonar of what lies under the ground. Instead of looking for a vein of precious metals like a miner would, archaeologists are looking for areas that seem to have signs of artifacts. They could very well discover that there are walls and floors below them. By using these geophysical instruments, archaeologists can choose a dig site with more confidence that they are going to be successful at finding artifacts. This saves a lot of time and a bundle of money. In the past fifty years or so the resistivity method has revolutionized the way that archeologists work.
Related Articles -
geophysical instrument, resistivity method, geophysical instruments, geophysical equipment, resistivity survey, resistivity meter,
|