School of Humanities / Sgoil nan Daonnachdan

Interlace panel from the Govan sarcophagus, carved for the bones of St Constantine, c. 900 AD

Carmen Cuenca-García

PhD Candidate (begun November 2008)
MSc Archaeological Prospection: Shallow Geophysics, 2007-08
(University of Bradford)

BA (Hons) Archaeology/Prehistory, 1993-98
(University of Valencia, Spain)

 

Room 322, Gregory Building
Telephone: +44 (0)141 330 3925
Fax: +44 (0) 141 330 3544
Email: c.cuenca-garcia.1@research.gla.ac.uk

Web: Academia and  St Nicholas Kirk Blog

 

PhD Research Title

The Interface of Geophysical and Geochemical Survey in Archaeological Prospection

Research Summary

Geophysical and geochemical techniques have been widely applied to detect and investigate archaeological sites. Integrated geophysical survey plays a major role in the discovery and exploration of archaeological sites. Geochemical survey also provides valuable information on the location of sites, but it also has the potential of determining source and spatial extent of past human activities and in investigating the use of space in archaeological sites. 

Both approaches have tended to operate independently of each other but their interaction (or interface) can help in understanding the complex and inter-related factors (chemical, physical and environmental) associated with the soil environment in which archaeological features are buried.
These soil properties are fundamental in controlling the contrast between negative archaeological features (e.g. a ditch) and the soil matrix, making them potentially detectable by geophysical means. Also, they characterise the superficial deposits which overly and influence the detection of archaeological features. Therefore, the analysis of these soil properties becomes crucial when surveying sites in challenging soil environments as it can contribute in resolving a major question in archaeological geophysics: which geophysical technique or combination of techniques should we use?
This NERC PhD research project is using both geophysics and geochemistry to understand the soil properties that influence the results of geophysical techniques at five challenging study sites in Scotland. In so doing, the project objectives are:

  • To carry out integrated surveys using shallow geophysical techniques, such as: gradiometry; magnetic susceptability; earth resistance; ground-penetrating radar; and EM conductivity.
  • To experiment with sequential geophysical surveys and soil sampling.
  • To characterise the geophysical response of archaeological features and soil matrix in terms of geochemical composition and other soil properties.

By the end of this PhD project a series of field/lab-based strategies will be produced to help in the planning of geophysical surveys, in order to allow:

  • A more confident prediction of the most appropriate survey strategy at a given site.
  • A more meaningful interpretation of the geophysical results.

Progress to Date

A total area of 11.5 hectares has been surveyed and c.300 soil samples gathered during the 2010 fieldwork season. The project, currently at the geochemistry and soil characterisation stage, has already benefited several on-going archaeological projects in Scotland. Its findings will greatly assist in evaluating the potential of geophysics across Scotland and beyond.

Supervisors

Dr Richard Jones

Dr Allan Hall

 

Other Research Interests

Near surface geophysics for forensic, humanitarian, and weapon searches.

Conference Presentations

  • The Interface of Geophysical and Geochemical Survey in Archaeological Prospection. Poster sponsored by ISAP. EIGG Day Meeting: Recent Work in Archaeological Geophysics held on 15 December 2010 at the Geological Society, London.
  • Ground-penetrating Radar Survey across the Transept of the Kirk of St Nicholas (Aberdeen). Poster presentation. The poster was presented at the 5th International Workshop on Advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (IWAGPR) held on 27-29 May 2009 in Granada (Spain).
  • Ground-penetrating Radar Survey across the Transept of the Kirk of St Nicholas (Aberdeen). Invited public lecture presented on 3 December 2008 at the Maritime Museum in Aberdeen.

Teaching Experience

 

  • Teaching Assistant (February-March 2011): Remote Sensing in Archaeology (practicals). Level 4 (Honours). Archaeology, University of Glasgow.
  • Invited Lecturer (October 2009): Introduction to Archaeological Geophysics (2hrs lecture & 2hrs practical). Third year Archaeological Science Module (AY003). Dept. Archaeology, University of Aberdeen.