Archaeologists have made a detailed map of the ancient Roman city of Falerii Novi without digging.
Cambridge – Archaeological excavations are complex. The scientists usually spend weeks or months at excavation sites until they find what they are looking for (* FNP reported) and then put their fragmented treasures together like pieces of a puzzle. In this way, for example, they understand more about the lives of people who lived in long-lost cities.
Scientists from Cambridge University have now managed to create a detailed map of the ancient Roman city of Falerii Novi without any excavation at all. They presented their results to one of the scientific journals.
Radar instead of digging: the method offers advantages
Instead of excavations, the researchers used a ground penetrating radar with which they explored the ruins in Falerii Novi to a depth of around three meters. Underground material and objects reflected the radio waves. Using satellite technology, the echo data from the radar devices were precisely delimited and supplemented to form an overall picture.
Project manager Martin Millett explained to the German Press Agency that “people have done this before on a small scale, but this project was the first to use the technology to map an entire Roman city.” The archaeologists Falerii Novi Investigate much faster, exploring a total of 30 hectares. In addition, this method required fewer workers. * FNP is an offer from IPPEN.Media.
