Geophysical and geochemical exploration of the industrial areas in the Alhambra.
Authors: Welham, K., Pitman, D., Scott-Pratt, H., Hagan, J., Casswell, C., Green, A., Duckworth, C. and Montanari, E.
Editors: García Porras, A., Duckworth, C.N. and Govantes-Edwards, D.
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer
Abstract:Traditional approaches to geophysical prospection tend to limit the usefulness of this set of techniques to the identification and outlining of archaeological sites prior to excavation. However, recent developments have highlighted the advantages or more in-depth, multi-scale and reflexive perspectives which allow not only for the identification of archaeological sites but also for their characterisation. This paper presents the geophysical (magnetometry, magnetic susceptibility, resistivity, GPR, etc.) and geochemical (portable hand-held X-Ray Fluorescence) methods deployed in the area of the Secano, in the Alhambra, for the investigation of pyrotechnological industrial facilities including pottery kilns and glass/glaze furnaces. The selection of techniques employed was tailored not only to confront the peculiar geological and archaeological conditions prevailing in the site, but also to collect meaningful information about these facilities even before the commencement of excavation. Importantly, the process was not understood simply as a preliminary to excavation, but continued also during the excavation of the trenches. Portable hand-held X-Ray Fluorescence and top-soil magnetic susceptibility were used throughout as a way to keep the excavators informed about the nature of the fills they were removing from within the furnace structures, as it was rightly suspected that these contained substantial traces of some of the chemical compounds used in the glazing of pottery (copper, lead, manganese). This was framed as a reflexive strategy that could, in contrast with analysis results obtained in the laboratory post-excavation, help to direct excavation strategies.
Source: Manual