Delineation of the Acemhöyük settlement mound in Turkey using 2‑D and pseudo‑3‑D VLF imaging


Bayrak M., Gürer A., Gürer Ö. F., İlkışık O. M.

Arabian Journal Of Geosciences, cilt.14, sa.22, ss.1-15, 2021 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 14 Sayı: 22
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s12517-021-08537-7
  • Dergi Adı: Arabian Journal Of Geosciences
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), Geobase, INSPEC
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-15
  • Kocaeli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

In this study, we aimed to determine the boundaries, locations, and depths of some buried archaeological remains of service
buildings belonging to Hatipler Palace in Acemhöyük Settlement Mound from the Assyrian Trade Colony Period (2000–1750
BC) using the very low frequency (VLF) method. After geophysical VLF measurements of the mound, the VLF tipper data
were filtered, as is common practice, by Karous and Hjelt (K&H) and Fraser filters. The 2-D VLF inversion technique was
also applied to the data, which is a relatively modern procedure for VLF. The 2-D resistivity models obtained after the inversion enabled the construction of 2-D and pseudo-3-D subsurface resistivity images. These imaging techniques revealed two
main distinguishing zones of mud-brick walls and stone foundations (moderate resistive zones > 13-Ω m) and surrounding
materials (relatively low resistivity zones < 8-Ω m). VLF images, additionally, showed boundaries between the moderate
and low resistivity zones successfully. Iso-resistivity images for resistivity values greater than 13-Ω m representing walls
are also presented in this study. This imaging method clearly exposed building walls from the third level of the mound.
Images obtained for the Acemhöyük mound site with the VLF method allowed nondestructive excavation, and the images
suggest new excavation locations for Hatipler Palace buildings, which is one of the most prominent buildings at this site.
Our results also revealed that presenting the 2-D inverted VLF data as 2-D and pseudo-3-D images is a successful tool for
subsurface imaging