Archaeological Investigation
Investigate buried archaeology without disturbing the site.
Ground penetrating radar supports non-destructive investigation of buried walls, foundations, surfaces, ditches, voids and changes in archaeological stratigraphy.
Investigate walls, floors and foundations.
Map ditches, pits and disturbed ground.
Collect closely spaced survey profiles.
Support targeted excavation and evaluation.
Investigation Objectives
Map archaeological potential before excavation
Archaeological GPR surveys can help identify the location, geometry and relative depth of subsurface features before intrusive evaluation, conservation work or development.
Walls and foundations
Investigate linear and rectilinear radar responses that may relate to buried masonry, footings, former buildings or structural remains.
Floors and buried surfaces
Identify discernible horizontal interfaces associated with floors, roads, hardstanding, occupation surfaces or construction phases.
Ditches, pits and cut features
Map changes in reflection character that may indicate filled features, former boundaries, trenches or disturbed ground.
Voids and concealed spaces
Investigate anomalous responses that may be associated with chambers, crypts, cavities or other concealed archaeological spaces.
Survey Methods
Configure the survey around feature size and expected depth
Complementary shallow and deeper information
TriVue records three independent frequencies simultaneously, supporting the investigation of archaeological features at different scales and depths within one survey pass.
- 250, 500 and 1000 MHz channels
- Simultaneous multi-frequency collection
- Complementary resolution and penetration
- Suitable for systematic survey grids
- Multiple trolley and deployment options
Modular archaeological surveying
GV3 systems allow experienced users to select antenna frequencies, channel counts and deployment arrangements around a particular archaeological objective and survey environment.
- One to eight-channel controller options
- Broad antenna frequency selection
- Combined or separate antenna formats
- Suitable for custom carts and arrays
- Configurable for high-density survey collection
Investigation Workflow
Combine historical evidence with systematic survey coverage
Effective archaeological investigation requires a clear research objective, appropriate survey density and interpretation alongside historical and intrusive evidence.
Define the research question
Review historical mapping, previous excavation, aerial imagery, topography and known archaeology before selecting the survey area and radar configuration.
Collect a systematic grid
Use consistent line spacing, positioning, orientation and survey parameters to create a dataset suitable for plan-view and three-dimensional interpretation.
Interpret and ground-truth
Compare radar patterns with the archaeological model and use targeted excavation, coring or complementary geophysics where confirmation is required.
Recommended Systems
GroundVue systems for archaeological investigation
Product selection depends on the expected feature size and depth, required survey density, terrain, access conditions and whether the investigation requires one frequency or complementary datasets.
Multi-frequency archaeology
GroundVue TriVue
An integrated three-frequency system for collecting complementary archaeological radar information simultaneously.
- 250, 500 and 1000 MHz
- Three simultaneous independent channels
- Suitable for systematic survey grids
Configurable professional GPR
GroundVue GV3
A modular controller and antenna platform for archaeological surveys requiring configurable frequency, channel count and deployment.
- One to eight-channel controllers
- Broad antenna frequency selection
- Suitable for custom arrays and survey frames
Larger-area deeper investigation
GroundVue GV100
A rugged integrated 100 MHz system for larger-area surveys where deeper targets and uneven terrain are key considerations.
- Shielded 100 MHz antenna
- Hand-pulled or vehicle-towed
- Integrated positioning support
Interpretation & Validation
Radar anomalies are not archaeological identifications
GPR can reveal patterns, interfaces and anomalous responses, but archaeological interpretation requires correlation with site history, morphology and supporting evidence.
Important survey considerations
- A radar reflection indicates an electromagnetic contrast and does not by itself identify the date, material or archaeological function.
- Clay-rich, saline, saturated or highly conductive ground may significantly reduce signal penetration.
- Modern utilities, drainage, landscaping and previous disturbance may create responses that resemble archaeological features.
- Survey-line spacing must be sufficiently close for the expected feature size and the intended plan-view interpretation.
- Results should be correlated with historical research, previous investigations, complementary geophysics and targeted excavation where appropriate.
Discuss Your Investigation
Configure the archaeological survey around the research objective
Tell us about the site, expected feature size and depth, ground conditions, required survey density, access constraints and the archaeological questions the investigation must address.