Archaeo-Geophysical Investigation of Simulated Settlement: Case Study in a Part of Basement Complex of Nigeria

Abstract

We have used the 2D Vertical Electrical Sounding method and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) method to map buried artifacts in a simulated settlement, and have shown how the geographical information system could aid future research. Stones, bones, metals, cement bricks, and cement-and-sand mixtures were locally constructed to fit into an African-archaeological setting. Parameters such as the materials’ composition, width, electrical resistivity, height, age, and depth of burial were taken into account before this investigation. The integrated methods employed collected data over the study area along with a pre-calculated dense network of parallel profiles. A total of eight (8) VES points and six (6) ERT profiles were obtained. The analysis and interpretation revealed that the VES yielded poor resolution for small-scale archaeological anomalies and could only be used fractionally for prospection whilst the ERT results were more suitable for delineation due to the high spatial resolution they provided. The field values correlated with other literature values. This research suggests that rapid significant prospection information, of any area under investigation, can easily be obtained from Google Earth time-lapse images and that its results will serve as a thorough reconnaissance in the search of prehistoric activities.