Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to Locate Ancient Burial Sites: A Comprehensive Report

In this report we will discuss about ground penetrating radar and below are the summaries point:- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) utilizes electromagnetic signals to locate buried objects like coffins in ancient burial sites. The choice of frequency, such as 500 MHz, affects the quality and resolution of the GPR images obtained. A grid system is set up to analyze different sections of the radar data, and calibration methods are used to determine velocity and depth.

REPORT
Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to Locate Ancient Burial
Site
Introduction
Ground penetrating radar, GPR, is a near-surface geophysical way that works by sending
electromagnetic signals through a dipole antenna. Objects buried under the ground such as the
coffin (like in our case) can be detected by signal reflections which are then detected by the
receiving antenna. The received signals are then recorded in a computer and simulated using
Matlab to form a three-dimensional blocks of data output. Thereafter this data is interpreted
which then helps in identifying changes and locating the sites.
Materials and Methods
In practice, there are various elements in which a regular GPR works in forensics and
archaeology. Some of the ways include using the dipole antenna (to discussed at the conclusion),
the management unit, and the computer that displays real-time output.
Generating GPR High frequency
The high frequency signals are generated by the GPR transmitter, which is also called transducer.
The GPR transducer has antennas normally consisting of an open circuit that carries oscillating
current of short duration called wavelets. This current in the antenna generates pulses of radio
waves which are termed as wavelet signal. Long antennas generate short wavelet signals which
are of very high frequencies usually between 10^55 Hz to 10^99 Hz.
Choosing a suitable frequency
When choosing suitable frequency of the dipole antenna to use we considered two factors; one,
the perceived depth of penetration of the grave and probable location of the lead coffin of the
king (which in our case was roughly two meters and two), and the perceived vertical visibility.
We considered two types of frequencies; 250 MHz and 500 MHz When putting these two
frequencies to tests we got two different results. The images gotten by 500 megahertz were
clearer and of better quality as compared to the ones given by the 250MHz frequency of the
dipole antenna. Therefore, we chose to use the 500 MH frequencies because the five hundred
megahertz antenna contains a higher resolution and a quick clear time from the robust surface
pulse which leads to additional discernible shallow profiles images. It is known that the lower the
frequency of the dipole, the deeper the signals can go in reaching objects that are deeper and
send back signals. On the hand the upper the frequency, the shallower the signals sent by the
dipole antenna can and this shows that higher frequencies will give magnified images of objects
such as lead casing of the coffin of the king.

Procedure
In trying to locate the metal coffin of the king, we set our dipole antennas to 500 MHz frequency.
We then erected grid around the estimated area of the grave with dimensions, 10m by 10m. We
then marked lines with a spacing of 0.5m between them, and which were parallel to each other.
We then marked various targets within the area and analyzed each section of the radar using the
automatic gain control and dewow time filter. We finally converted the two-way travel time deep
by using hyperbole calibration method to analyze velocity.
Results and Discussion
In this experiment, a 500 MHz dipole antenna was preferred to a 250 MHz one because the
former gives good results when taking into consideration the depth that the waves are going to
travel and the vertical visibility. In addition, we were experiment using a depth of 2 meters, thus
a frequency of 500MHz preferable since it gives better images with shallow depths.
The initial results of the study in relation to using the 250 megahertz show that it was unsuitable
to use this type of frequency because they gave blurred images which were of less quality
making it hard for analysis to be done. On the other hand, results given by the five hundred
megahertz dipole antenna show that using the frequency in detecting objects which are shallow
to the ground such as in our case where the estimated depth was two meters, the images formed
when the data was inserted into Matlab processor, were of better quality, clear to see distinct
obstacles, that is the lead casing of the coffin of the king.
Dipole Antenna
Using the constants of a dipole antenna of length L=lambda/2, we get the formula of the wave
signal as;
L=1.4*lambda.
Example plot of L=1.0*lambda:
We used the following to try and simulation the dipole antenna signal using the MatLab
program. The coding is as shown below;

When we entered the code and tried to run it, the following figure was displayed on the screen as
shown below;
A-Scan and B-Scan Images
The GPR provides ways to detect reflected signals from the lead coffin and then detect changes
in the ground material’s electromagnetic properties. The ground we studied required the GPR
antenna to be moved horizontally across the surface.
At the earmarked spots with the area under study, the reflections in form of signals were
recorded as A-SCAN images.
When many signal reflections of various spots were put together we formed B-SCAN images.
And finally when B-SCAN images were processed we formed a three-dimension image called C-
scan.

Other Methods
Other methods that we could have used in detecting and locating the correct site of the lead
casket of the ancient king includes; electromagnetic induction which works the same way as
GPR only that it uses electromagnetic waves. We can also use metal detectors in detections
caskets that were made of metals such as lead.
Conclusion
In conclusion using this project we can come into conclusions that using ground penetrating
radar in locating ancient graves has its own advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of
using GPR include; other than burial sites detection, GPR can be used in preservation of culture.
This is because the graves of historically prominent people can be remotely located and sites of
their burials preserved as a cultural heritage site. In addition, GPR can be used research and
study of masonry structures which can detect flaws and decaying patterns.

The limitations of the ground penetrating radar include; one, GPR, is hindered by diverse
environmental factors such as rainfall, humidity of soil and type sol. For instance, places which
have black cotton soil or clay soil are very difficult to undertake the study. This is due to the soils
named having high electrical conductivity which leads to high losses of signal strength. In
addition, rocky places disperse the signals which leads to weak signals reaching the intended
target.