M. Járó - L. Költő szerk.: Archaeometrical research in Hungary (Budapest, 1988)

Prospecting - CSATHÓ Beáta, PATTANTYUS-Á. Miklós: Possibilities and experiences of geophysical prospecting at archaeological sites in Hungary

satisfactorily, then the application of various signal-enhancement filters is necessary. Several examples are presented for this in this volume (Balácapuszta, Turkeve). The final goal is, naturally, the realization of field data logging and processing since thus the procedures described above can be carried out on site immediately after the measurements, and on the basis of interpretation the excavation could be oriented to a perspective site. Economic aspects Economic questions must be mentioned as well. It is well-known that because of their advanced and expensive instrumentation geophysical measurements are expensive. In the measurements performed so far, we have tried to provide useful results for archaeology at as little cost as possible. It is difficult to detenrtine the cost of prospecting related to the number of points or even to the size of the area since it depends on the density of the survey, on the applied method and on numerous other factors in each case. We do not intend to compare these costs or the value of information obtained with the other costs of the excavation. Users themselves should decide, on the basis of the literature and on what has been described here, what result may be expected from geophysical prospecting at a certain survey site and how much it is worth orienting the excavation to a more perspective area by adapting the results of a relatively quick survey of a longer area or planning further excavations based on them. Let us quote an opinion from the literature not only pointing out the significance of geophysical prospecting but referring to its restrictions as well: "Geophysics can usually give only a blurred image of underground conditions.

.. Nevertheless, the alternative is often to remain sightless." (Bruce, 1983). We have carried out geophysical prospecting of archaeological sites - generally on an experimental basis - mainly so far on the claims of some research archaeologists in Hungary, wanting to show them what kind of advantages archaeologists have from the mapping of a larger area by means of geophysical methods. This also reflects the problems of the Hungarian geophysical prospecting at archaeological sites: the survey of a comparatively large area has never taken place, the results have been checked by excavation only a few times. The financing of the measurements is always a problem since the advantages are not well-known. Similarly, the possibilities to apply more expensive methods (e. g. radar) and to purchase or develop new instruments are hrnited. In view of this we have been able to devote only very httle energy to methodological development and to the introduction of new methods although we are aware of the wide range of possibilities offered by the literature and by the experience of experts abroad. We should like to mention here the names of institutions where claims for archaeological geophysical prospecting can be raised: - Eötvös Loránd Geophysical Institute of Hungary Budapest,

P.O.B. 35, H-1440; - Technical University of the Heavy Industry, Department of Geophysics Miskolc, H-35

15 - Geodetical and Geophysical Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Sopron, P.O.B. 9, H-9401. Archaeomagnetic research is a somewhat related field which is dealt with by - Eötvös Loránd University, Department of Geophysics Budapest, Kun B. tér 2., H1083 This study was prepared with a knowledge of the work of the institutions mentioned above and partly on the basis of them.