Project Details
Projekt
Large-area magnetic mapping and source reconstruction applying a novel multichannel optical magnetometer instrument
Applicant
Dr. Sven Linzen
Subject Area
Prehistory and World Archaeology
Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics, Cartography
Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics, Cartography
Term
since 2023
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 468897144
The main aims of this project as part of the requested research group "Urban Impacts on the Mongolian Plateau" are: 1) The development of a novel magnetic field measuring instrument for the high-resolution motorized magnetic prospection of large archaeological sites under challenging conditions, like those within the Mongolian steppe. Quantum leaps in detectability, spatial resolution and in magnetic source reconstruction capability are aimed at with the new instrument. These are based on the combination of two innovative concepts – the application of a new quantum sensor principle realized with integrated optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) and a multi-sensor arrangement incorporating the applicant’s patented vertical sensor setup. 2) Intensive geophysical/geoarchaeological application of the new instrument to the large-area study sites of the research group. High-resolution magnetic and topographic mapping of a total area of 400 hectares in minimum on the Mongolian plateau, which will help to identify and precisely localize archaeological and geological structures hidden in the steppe ground. Preliminary processing and interpreting the recorded data on site, fundamental information for all involved research disciplines will be provided and discussed already during the common expeditions.3) Exploiting the recorded information-rich 3D magnetic data sets of the new instrument and including data from the other sub-projects within joint and multi-modal approaches, a new quality of magnetic source reconstruction, classification and interpretation of buried archaeological remains is aspired. This way, SP4 will generate essential input to the key research areas A) Settlement system, B) Utilization of resources and C) Provisioning the city. The concept and application of the new OPM instrument is directly targeted to generate a maximum of information revealing and characterizing the settlement and environmental structures on the Mongolian plateau. By discovering and interpreting urban, arable and mining/supply areas on a large scale as well as in detail with high resolution, the project will significantly contribute to uncover the supposed strategies behind successful Mongolian urbanism, its development and impacts on the environment (first and second hypothesis of the overall project). The detailed modelling and joint interpretation of the recorded data will further be geared towards the extraction of physical values and proxies characterizing the nature of Mongolian urbanism and “urban metabolism” – key elements to verify the third hypothesis of the research unit.
DFG Programme
Research Units
