Application of Electrical Resistivity Method in Detecting Self-Buried Archaeological Materials

Abstract

Wenner configuration of electrical resistivity was used to examine self-buried archaeological materials. This configuration was employed because of its sensitivity to vertical changes in the subsurface resistivity below the centre of array.  This method was used to check for the accuracy/ resolution ability of Electrical resistivity in detecting archaeological materials. Five (5) pits were filled up with different materials. Measurements were done at different electrode spacing’s (a). The electrode spacing varied from 5 m up to 25 m in order to cover the formations embedded beneath the survey line at different depths in a comprehensive way. Three profiles of about 120m were made to cut across the five (5) pits that contained the self-buried archaeological materials. Campus Omega Terrameter was used to acquire the resistance data along each profile. Apparent resistivity was obtained by multiplying the geometric factor with the resistance data acquired. The acquired data was interpreted by using Res2D inversion to obtain the Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT).  From the ERT obtained, the buried materials were detected with varying resistivity values in accordance with their points on the profile.