Three-dimensional representation in electrical imaging prospecting and application to the exploration for buried antiquities

Two-dimensional (2D) electrical imaging is a widely used method to map areas of moderately complex geology. However, this method has not yet been applied for analysis of small structures such as buried antiquities. The main problem with imaging small buried structures is the weak anomaly contrast they pro vide due to their size. In order to get a three-dimensional (3D) small structure model, it is practical and efficient to pro duce a grid of independently acquired 2D sections and invert them with a 2D electrical imaging program. This results in a quasi-3D model. The aim of this paper is to test the efficiency and applicability of the quasi-3D technique by imaging a portion of a Roman house buried in Quaternary sediments. The study area is located near Orbe, Switzerland.