Shallow Seismic Refraction, Two-Dimensional Electrical Resistivity Imaging, and Ground Penetrating Radar for Imagin the Ancient Monuments at the Western Shore of Old Luxor City, Egypt (2014)

A combined near surface geophysical survey conducted in archaeological site at the western bank
of Luxor area show that, the geophysical methods offer the possibility to characterize and reconstruct the geometry of subsurface structures without destroying the deposits, providing a way to
find solutions to the questions of archaeological or engineering significance. The two dimensional
electrical imaging (R2D) and the shallow seismic refraction (SSR) techniques were carried out
through twelve profiles measured across the study area in NW-SE directions with 5 m profile
spacing. The interpretation of the 2-D resistivity imaging shows that there are two layers are arranged from the top to the bottom as soil layer consists of weathered clay and its thickness varies
between 3.82 m and 4 m; wetted clay and mud with depth varies from 25.3 m to 26.23 m and a
massive body may composed of Alabaster, limestone or granite is present within the second layer.
Following, the inverted 2-D models were merged to form a quasi-3D resistivity model which was
visualized as depth slices. A high resistive anomalous feature was detected in successive depth
slices. Moreover, analysis of shallow seismic data shows that, P-velocity ranges from 400 - 1350
m/sec whereas S-wave ranges from 280 - 460 m/sec. The massive body with high resistivity is detected and shows also a high velocity. Following a detailed Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey were carried out to image the subsurface. 200 MHz antenna frequency was used on the survey.
Inspection of the 2-D GPR profile shows the presence of hyperbolic anomalous features is present
 at a depth nearly 4 m.