Geophysics
Abstract | Introduction | Geophysical Methods | Study Area | Results & Interpretation
Discussions & Conclusions | Acknowledgements | References
Subsurface Imaging in Tiwanaku's Monumental Core
Eileen G. Ernenwein1 and Michele L. Koons2
1 Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
2 Department of Anthropology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
Results presented here summarize some of the geophysical work conducted by the authors over four field seasons at Tiwanaku. These results were presented in a paper at the Technology and Archaeology Workshop. You can browse this paper here on the web page (use links at top of page to navigate), download it as an adobe portable document file (.pdf), or view the powerpoint presentation.
Abstract
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR), magnetometry, induced electrical conductivity, and magnetic susceptibility mapping in the northeast quadrant of Tiwanaku’s monumental core has revealed a series of previously unknown architectural features. Several of these were tested with excavations and confirmed to be wall foundations and conduits. Others await subsurface testing but the synergy of geophysical data, aerial photographs, and topographic data provide strong evidence for the following features: two residential compounds, four pools for water retention, a series of conduits, revetments, and a square structure. The combination of GPR and magnetometry has proven particularly useful at Tiwanaku. While the majority of buried architectural features seem to be detected with GPR, magnetometry helps to distinguish between local building materials (mostly sandstone and other sedimentary rocks) and the ritually significant andesite imported from the shores of Lake Titicaca. The data suggest that a series of east facing revetments were built with andesite while those facing north were not, a pattern consistent elsewhere at Tiwanaku. These revetments may have been most visible to pilgrims entering the city from the east.
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