Magnetic Gradient and Electrical Resistivity Tomography Surveys in Meroe, the Capital City of the Kush Kingdom, Sudan

Mohamed-Ali, M.A.; Herbich, T.; Grzymski, K.; Hobbs, R.

Abstract

One of the most important archaeological sites in Sudan is Meroe, capital city of the kingdom of Kush (800 bc to ad 400). The site is located in the Nile valley, about 200 km northeast of Khartoum. The most prominent feature among the ruins of Meroe is the Royal City: a stone-walled enclosure containing remains of palaces, governmental buildings and temples. The current study presents the results of integrated magnetic gradient and electrical resistivity tomography surveys in unexplored and partly explored areas in the central part of the site and in the southern part of the Royal City. The main enclosure wall, remains of sandstone and red-brick buildings, and a number of small archaeological structures have been traced on magnetic maps. The extent of buildings, identified by magnetic survey, has been complemented by information on the depth of structures provided by electrical resistivity tomography. The geophysical results have been partly verified through excavation.

Citation

Mohamed-Ali, M., Herbich, T., Grzymski, K., & Hobbs, R. (2012). Magnetic Gradient and Electrical Resistivity Tomography Surveys in Meroe, the Capital City of the Kush Kingdom, Sudan. Archaeological Prospection, 19(1), 59-68. https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.1415

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 4, 2011
• Publication Date: 2012-01
• Deposit Date: Nov 27, 2012
• Journal: Archaeological Prospection
• Print ISSN: 1075-2196
• Electronic ISSN: 1099-0763
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 59-68
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.1415
• Keywords: Magnetic survey, Electrical resistivity tomography, Archaeological prospection, Meroe, Kush, Sudan.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1470977