British archaeologists used a portable gamma ray spectrometer to conduct
Traditionally, gamma spectrometers are used to detect radioactive contamination at nuclear facilities. Scientists first used it to search for ancient burials.
The researchers analyzed four sitesexcavations: urban area, cremation area, temple building and industrial facility (furnace). As the scientists note, the data showed different levels of effectiveness of this method for finding potential archaeological sites of interest.
On the left is a traditional geophysical image,showing the border wall. The image on the right was taken with gamma rays, with the wall highlighted in green because it is less radioactive than its surroundings. Source: University of Reading
According to the researchers, the most detaileddata were obtained during the examination of the temple complex (the remains of the wall) and the industrial furnace. The images were able to see the exact contours of objects. Analysis of images taken in an urban area is less accurate. The researchers believe that this is due to the use of local materials for the construction of objects. This leads to an identical radioisotope composition of the buildings and the soils surrounding them.
The researchers plan to continue work to improve the method. They plan to create more sensitive measurement methods to find more hidden objects.
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