Using Ground Penetrating Radar Technique

Abstract: In this study the ground penetrating radar (GPR) is used to investigate and differentiate between the Ptolomean graves and random voids due to common karsting at calcareous sandstone that belong to Alexandria Formation at Gabbari area, Alexandria, Egypt, during July 1998. The site is located in an old neighborhood at the southern main entry of Alexandria port. The discovery of the multi-level ancient Ptolomean Mecropolis in the Gabbari area, lead to the pending of the high way construction that built to serve the main gate traffic of Alexandria port. Lithologic units have been defined and the primary depositional structures have been identified. Water table is delinated in the area. Subsurface features considered mostly massive cross bedded calcareous sandstone underlined by lose calcareous sandstone. GPR profiles were acquired across various locations, some of which had been previously excavated and backfilled by archeologists. The main objectives of this study were to determine the utility of the GPR technique in a near shore marine environment with respect to locating subsurface features of archeological interest, and to determine the optimum field parameters for voids detection in the area