Magnetometry in Archaeology
A new method for seeing buried buildings
Marek Dospěl August 23, 2023
Magnetometry in archaeology can survey large areas relatively quickly, with only a light portable instrument.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Creekmore.
Modern archaeology increasingly makes use of scientific methods and tools. Magnetometry, which studies variations in the earth’s geomagnetic field, can reveal ancient structures and objects hiding beneath the surface. As a nondestructive method, magnetometry in archaeology measures the magnetic fields of different materials buried underground, without even having to scrape the surface.
