Integrated Geophysical Investigations in a Roman Archaeological Site: Resca (Romula), Olt County, Romania

Integrated geophysical investigations including magnetometric, gravimetric, and 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) surveys were conducted in the Central Fort zone of the Roman archaeological site Romula (Reşca village, Olt County, Romania). This study, sponsored by the Foundation of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG)—Tulsa, OK, USA, was carried out by teams from the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics—Department of Geophysics, and from the Geological Institute of Romania—Geohazard Department. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of various geophysical methods under the specific conditions of this site and to provide new information regarding archaeological targets, in addition to the results of a previous ERT survey from 2019 and of the archaeological excavations. The collected magnetometric data show distinct anomalous zones or lineaments with NW–SE and NE–SW orientation, likely reflecting buried Roman structures (building remains, brick walls, brick debris); generally, the identified anomalous magnetic sources correlate well with high resistivity ERT anomalies. Some particularly significant results of the 2020 geophysical survey are the clear delineation of the north-eastern brick wall of the Roman Central Fort and of a possible sewage or drainage channel outside the Fort perimeter.

The main objectives were:

1. Assessing the effectiveness of various geophysical methods under the specific conditions of a multilayered archaeological site;

2. Providing additional or new information regarding Roman archaeological targets, with respect to a previous geophysical survey and archeological excavations.

This investigation mainly contribute sto:

1. Identification of the main archaeological structures orientations (NW–SE and NE–SW) for the Central Fort zone of ancient Romula town by integrated geophysical research;

2. Delineation of the north-eastern brick wall of the ancient town Central Fort zone and of a possible sewage or drainage channel outside the Fort perimeter.