A technique that remotely investigates and defines an object or material in the subsurface without direct contact.

Geophysics is the application of the methods of physics to the study of the earth.

"The great advantage of geophysics to the geologist is that it can be used to make observations about the subsurface using measurements taken (usually) at the surface... Geophysics is the only branch of the earth sciences that can truly 'look' into the Earth's interior, that is, remotely detect the presence of buried bodies and structures. In contrast, geology can only infer them" (Mussett and Khan 2000:1).

Applied geophysics, of which archaeo-geophysics is a part, is concerned with investigating the Earth's crust and near-surface to achieve a practical aim, often for economic benefit.

"Applied geophysics covers everything from experiments to determine the thickness of the crust (which is important in hydrocarbon exploration) to studies of shallow structures for engineering site investigations, exploring for groundwater and for minerals and other economic resources, to trying to locate narrow mine shafts or other forms of buried cavities, or the mapping of archaeological remains, or locating buried pipes and cables -- but where in general the total depth of investigation is usually less than 100 m. The same scientific principles and technical challenges apply as much to shallow geophysical investigations as to pure geophysics" (Reynolds 1997:2).

"Making and interpreting measurements of physical properties of the earth to determine sub-surface conditions, usually with an economic objective, e.g., the discovery of fuel or mineral dispositions" (Sheriff 1991:139).

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