Nizhny Novgorod

Collaborating Authors

Nizhny Novgorod

Integration of Geophysics and Archaeology: Exploring a Burial Site of the 4th to 7th Century Near Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

Konkov, Andrey (Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences) | Manakov, Sergey (Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences) | Lebedev, Andrey (Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences) | Malekhanov, Alexander (Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences) | Salin, Mikhail (Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences) | Gribov, Nikolay (Nizhny Novgorod State University) | Shchennikov, Alexey (Radiophysical Research Institute) | Ignatev, Vladimir (Geodevice Ltd) | Policina, Anna (Geodevice Ltd) | Shalimova, Elena (Perm State National Research University) | Zakluchnov, Igor (Perm State National Research University) | Brüning, Lennart (Freie Universität Berlin) | Handel, Jan (Freie Universität Berlin) | Prasche, Martin (Goethe University Frankfurt)

OnePetroOctober, 2015

Summary This paper is intended to compare the results obtained with use of different geophysical methods (geomagnetics, electrical resistivity tomography, ground-penetrating radar and seismics) on a archaeological site and discuss the prospects of such an integration between geophysics and archaeology. The relevant experience thus obtained should help to locate more efficiently the buried structures (graves) in the subsurface. This research was carried out within the framework of the Field Camp 2014 devoted to exploration of the 4th to 7th century burial site near Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Introduction The objective of the field camp was the Podvyaze burial site close to Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. It is a monument of the 4th to 7th century, which was discovered in 1959. The first grave of the complex was found and studied in 2010. Two years later, the first research excavation was carried out by local archaeologists. Nowadays, Podvyaze is listed in the state register of cultural heritage of the Russian Federation and is recognized as a monument of federal importance. Currently, the excavated area of the monument has a size of about 120 square meters. In addition to 28 discovered graves with humans and animals, archaeologists have found 584 objects. Amongst others, these are costume parts, belts, adornments of shoes, bracelets, rings, coins, and elements of weapons like arrow- and spearheads, axes, items of horse gear, glass beads, and antique pottery. The most valuable artifact found so far is a short single-blazed sword, which usually appeared in Roman provinces in the Danube river region. The aim of our Field Camp was to reveal buried structures and to support archeological work in the sense of pinpointing proper excavation sites. Knowing where to search for subsurface artifacts does not only help archeologists save time, but more importantly also helps them to prevent object damages during future excavations. We decided to reach this goal by the application of different geophysical methods, which are geomagnetics, geoelectrics (ERT), ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and modification of Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW). Moreover, it was very interesting and extremely important for us to answer the question which method works the best when applied on such a site.

OnePetro

SEG

SEG-2015-5820817

2015 SEG Annual Meeting

applied physics, displacement, electrode, excavation, geophysical method, Institute, integration, inversion, Lebedev, magnetic field, magnetic susceptibility, manakov, Nizhny Novgorod, Rayleigh wave, Reservoir Characterization, Russia, SEG New Orleans, tomography, Upstream Oil & Gas

Country:

Europe > Russia > Volga Federal District > Nizhny Novgorod Oblast > Nizhny Novgorod (0.82)
North America > United States > North Dakota (0.66)

Geophysics:

Geophysics > Seismic Surveying (1.00)
Geophysics > Magnetic Surveying (1.00)
Geophysics > Electromagnetic Surveying (1.00)

Industry: Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)

SPE Disciplines: Reservoir Description and Dynamics > Reservoir Characterization > Seismic processing and interpretation (1.00)

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Gravity And Magnetic Surveys In Transition Zones With a Hovercraft

Lygin, Vladimir (SSC FSUGE Yuzhmorgeologia) | Koryakin, Dmitry (Fugro Gravity & Magnetic Surveys, Inc)

OnePetroOctober, 2009

Summary A new hovercraft-based technology for gravity and magnetic surveys in transition zones was developed in YMG GraviMag, the Research and Exploration Subdivision of the State Scientific Centre Federal Geological Enterprise Yuzhmorgeologia (YMG), Gelendzhik, Russia. The technology was tested at the Azov Sea transition zone in Southern Russia. Afterwards, the technology was used on two surveys in Northern Russia, in 2007 and 2008. The acquired gravity and magnetic data showed good quality and has sufficient resolution for detailed geological interpretation. Introduction Detailed gravity and magnetic surveys in transition zones with water depths starting from 0 m present a complicated and technologically challenging task and usually are very expensive. Conventional shipborne surveys are limited by water depths, as the vessels cannot approach too close to shore due to safety reasons, and the survey lines have to be stopped early to allow safe space for line change circulation. Surveying with land gravity meters installed on tripods has low production rate, and airborne gravity surveys cannot provide sufficient resolution. In 2006, YMG has been contracted to perform gravity and magnetic surveys in the transition zone of Pechora Sea in Northern Russia. More than 50% of the survey area was shallower than 1 m. Strong currents and tides caused sea level changes up to 1.5 m. The area could not be covered with conventional shipborne survey methods. In search for an effective solution, YMG-GraviMag considered using an air-cushion vehicle (ACV), or hovercraft, as a survey vessel. Technology test survey To evaluate the possibility of gravity and magnetic data acquisition from a hovercraft at shallow sea within tens of kilometers from the shore, a test survey has been conducted at Taganrog Bay of the Azov Sea in Southern Russia. The marine gravity meter system GRIN-2000 (Yuzhmorgeologia, Russia) had been installed onboard a hovercraft “Hivus-10” (Figure 1) built by Aerohod Ltd. (Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia). Magnetic data was acquired with a towed SeaSPY marine magnetometer (Marine Magnetics Inc., Canada). The selected hovercraft model “Hivus-10” has the overall length 7.55 m, width 3.30 m, height 2.55 m. Its cruising speed is 50 km/h (max 70 km/h) over the water and 70 km/h (max 90 km/h) over the snow. It is able to work with the wind up to 15 m/s and waves up to 1.2 m. The test survey operations were performed from a shore base. The hovercraft crew consisted of 4 men, including the survey geophysicist, navigator, mechanic and the vessel driver. The test demonstrated the possibility to acquire online gravity data with the wave height up to 0.3 m, with simultaneous acquisition of magnetic data with a towed magnetometer. The test also showed that in order to perform offshore surveys at a significant distance from a shore base or from a support vessel, the hovercraft must be equipped with radar, an auxiliary generator for survey equipment, additional fuel tanks and personal safety and survival equipment. The test also showed that a special platform was required for the gravity meter to damp the high frequency vibration. Such platform has been developed in YMG-GraviMag.

OnePetro

SEG

SEG-2009-1000

2009 SEG Annual Meeting