Archaeological interpretation of magnetic data

Particular archaeologic sites containing distinct artifacts were considered by magnetic measurements. This paper deals with the main problems that generaIly arise during the application of magnetic intensity to archaeological investigations. Specific difficulties include lateral variations of magnetic susceptibilities of top soil and near surface rocks, shaIlow heterogeneities, or equipment and reduction errors. In addition, an example of a magnetic survey for archaeological exploration at a part of Tell Basta historical site, Zagazig, Egypt is presented. The observed data were distorted. However, reduction, filtering, correlation and modeIling of the field measurements help in improving the signal-to-noise ratio and better definition and resolution of composite anomalies. Within the surveyed area, the study indicates that 1) The significance of numerical processing techniques in improvement of the meaningful anomaly-to-noise ratio and 2) The presence of some shallow anomaIies (0.5-3m depth) of archaeological interest. The revealed depths to the different discontinuities agree fairly weIl with the archaeological evidences excavated later.