Results of integrated magnetic and GPR survey in the St. Vincenzo archeological site (Stromboli Island, Italy)

Identification of buried cultural heritage in geophysical records is hampered by the often irregular geometry and by the limited target/background contrast. Data integration offers a viable solution in favorable cases and in particular for areal mapping of buried foundations or building remains through the integration of magnetic and GPR surveys. Irregular and isolated targets, lacking lateral continuity and identifiable geometric pattern, are characteristic of pre- and proto- historic sites and require complementary strategies to achieve optimum interpretation results. We propose and test a combined 2.5/3-D GPR survey strategy based on single-fold and multi-fold data, integrated by magnetic (gradiometric) surveys. GPR data analysis is based on standard section/volume interpretation complemented by multi-attribute and wavelet analysis for the identification of targets of potential archeological interest. The method is tested on a dataset from the St. Vincenzo protohistoric site (Stromboli Island, Italy). The results give evidence of many often superimposed buried remains and allow detailed pre-excavation planning. Geophysical outcomes are validated by the archaeological excavation that identified remains of a Middle-Bronze Age (1650-1400 B.C.) village and most recent structures and objects.