What am I going to research? In this case study, I am going to research what resistivity is and how a resistivity survey works using the physics principles. I am also going to explore what benefits this technique might bring, but also what flaws there could be. Additionally, I am going to explore a famous historical use of this method. What is resistivity? Resistivity is the oppose to conductivity. It's a measure of material's ability to oppose the flow of electric current. It is a property of the material, and it remains constant, not depending on the certain shape of the material, however it does depend on the mass and density of the particular material. The resistivity of a particular material can be found by multiplying the resistance of the material by its cross sectional area, and then divided by it's length, this is shown in the equation below: ρ = (RA) ÷ l (where ρ= the resistivity of the material, R= the resistance of the material, A= the cross sectional area of the material and l= the length of the material) What is a resistivity survey and how does it work? A resistivity survey is a geophysical technique used to establish the structure of the Earth's surface. It is a technique which has been used and developed over the last couple of centuries. It uses a pair of probes to conduct electrical current into the soil, by doing this they can measure the resistance of the soil. In most archaeological surveys, one of the probes is used to conduct the current through the ground and another probe is used to measure the potential difference across the circuit of the current. The resistance of the soil between both probes can be then calculated by using the equation: R = V ÷ I (where R= the resistance of the soil, V= the potentia... ... middle of paper ... ...ite of the first Norman encampment and landing site prior to the well known battle of Hastings. In 1993 Austin carried the survey to cover an area of 560m by 320m, that he believed was the location of the focal Norman fort. By using a resilience meter and displaying his results on a computer, he took measurements of the resistance of the soil in 1m intervals. This interpreted data gave some regions of light spots, of low resistance which are most likely to be damp ditches, but it also uncovered areas of high resistance, indicating by dark spots. Austin though these were most likely walls. When interpreting his data, he led to believe he discovered the perimeter of the fort in which it was surrounding by ditches. However his most significant discovery, was a square like structure in the middle of the perimeter which he thought was likely to be the keep of the fort.
To identify the specific type, functions and time period of the artifacts, various archaeology books, reports, and journal were referred. The interpretation was then conducted by dividing the artifacts into different area on the map and investigating their relationships.
could be used to explain and illustrate that previous theories were not entirely correct (Merali and Skinner, 2009, p.253). Through the analyzation of arrival times of these waves, Oldham had drawn an conclusion that p waves and s waves react differently in terms of being refracted, reflected or absorbed depending on the state of the material as shown in Figure 1.(Tarbuck, Lutgens, Tasa, 2013, p.143). Oldham had developed this theory of the Earth not being the same state due to these effects of seismic discontinuity which are shown in Figure 1., consisting of refraction, reflection and absorption. The changes that are displayed from this idea are; the speed of the waves due to a refraction occu...
Ironically the burial ground’s discovery came from a land of no significance to prime, for an intended thirty-four-story federal office building. An environmental impact statement set off archeological test excavations, by producing an 18th century map delivering necessity to substantiate or disprove survival of a “Negro’s Burial Ground” (Kutz 1994).
was found by scientists who were legally excavating a dig site. The scientist wanted to study the
remains in highest regards among seismologists, engineers and geologists. It is said to be a
The Mosfell project has set goals which it would like to accomplish. The main goal of Mosfell is to find the prehistoric and historic artifacts of this region. They are seeking a more in-depth understanding of how this area evolved from its earliest form. The archaeologists involved have very definite goals which are achievable in the long term. The data they have found is presented in a journal type documentation in which they document each individual excavation year. The only details they provide about the excavat...
Moundville has been the focus of a large amount of archaeological interest due to its impressive earthworks. Clarence B. Moore produced well-publicized works. During his time in Moundville in 1905 and 1906, Moore pierced the mounds with “trial holes,” finding numerous burials and related artifacts. Unlike many treasure hunters, Moore donated the majority of his find...
archaeological finds, or as the text states it, evidence, we can make logical speculations about the
The experiment is taken according to proper step as mentioned in methodology of the study described in chapter three. The result and their comparisons are described through table and figures as following. Finally the experimental results are summarized at the end of the chapter.
The article by the various authors listed above concentrated on the various techniques that are used to locate and then to excavate these sites. They list and discuss the various techniques that they use. These vary from side-scanning to locate the sites to high resolution video to see how the site appears and the various locations of the artifacts.
The plastic limit of soil tested is 27 % whereas the plasticity index (IP) is
...ultures. He strongly believed that when archaeologists made conclusions or assumptions on early culture, they must provide evidence that proves their accuracy, because it was important to remain accurate and it would prove that archaeology is a serious and scientific field of study
“The bottoms consisted of six blocks of miners’ dwellings, two rows of three, like the dots on a blank-six domino, and twelve houses in a block. This double row of dwellings sat at the foot of the rather sharp slope from Bestwood, and looked out, from the valley towards Selby.” (pg.36)
There are formulas to calculate electrical conductivity and resistivity. Conductivity is defined as the inverse of resistivity (a high conductivity means a low resistance), I=V/R or current equals voltage over resistance. This is known as Ohm’s Law. Electrical resistance is calculated by the formula, R=V/I or resistance equals voltage over current. Ohm’s law however does not hold true if temperature changes. Materials that obey Ohm’s law are known as ohmic or linear because the potential difference across it varies linearly with the current. In addition, whether or not a material obeys Ohm’s law its resistance can be described in bulk resistivity. Furthermore, over sizable ranges of temperature, this temperature depe...
Salinity is simply the amount of salts contained in the soil which is estimated by measuring the electrical conductivity of a removed soil solution. An electrical device can easily measure the amount of salt contained in the soil. In millimhos/cm or micromhos/cm, a salt concentration of a gram per litre is about 1.5 millimhos/cm).