K. Palágyi Sylvia szerk.: Balácai Közlemények 2005/9. (Veszprém, 2005)
NEDUCZA, BORI SZLÁV - PATTANTYÚS-Á., MIKLÓS: Combined radar mapping of North-East corner of the roman Villa-estate, Baláca
BORISZLÁV NEDUCZA - MIKLÓS PATTANTYÚS-Á. COMBINED RADAR MAPPING OF NORTH-EAST CORNER OF THE ROMAN VILLA-ESTATE, BALÁCA Abstract This paper summarises shortly the history of the geophysical research carried out in Hungary at the Roman archaeological site Baláca in the last twenty years, also mentioning the results of the earlier and contemporary excavation activity concerning the geophysical aspects. The mapping of the NE corner of the Roman villa-estate is discussed in detail. The first measurements started with resistivity profiling in 1984, only with general overview purposes. On the resulted anomaly map, new - earlier unknown - remnants (traces of building) were discovered. After 15 years of excavation and restoration work, a new geophysical research period started in 1999. Test measurements with detailed resistivity and radar profiling and mapping were performed near to and around the excavation area. Then measurement site moved toward the NE corner of the villa-estate, systematically mapping the area step by step, using the ground penetrating radar (GPR) method. Finally, anomaly maps referring to different depths were constructed about the NE corner. Introduction A number of professional papers dealing with geophysical research at archaeological sites can be found in the literature. Experts apply usually magnetic, resistivity and georadar methods, sometimes EM conductivity mapping. Earlier measurements were carried out along several profiles, later, mapping of large sites became universal by measuring in dense grids. The evaluation of this type of research could be realised with the help of the digital data acquisition and of the advanced data processing software working on high capacity PC that can handle the huge amount of data. Also the field technology had to be developed. We bought our first radar instrument in 1992. From that time, many trials and test measurements have been performed for prospecting several near-surface targets. The application of this method at Baláca started in 1999 to test it for archaeological purposes at this site. In the last three years, we apply successfully the dense grid measurement technology, with the result of mapping the subsurface conditions in detail. Precedents The first excavation was carried out at this site by Gy. Rhé at the beginning of the last century (1906-1926.). Some site map remained about the construction of this site of
