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Sains Malaysiana 54(2)(2025): 343-360
http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2025-5402-03
Integration of
Geophysical Applications in Heterogeneous Near-Subsurface Environments for
Archaeological Investigations
(Penyepaduan Aplikasi Geofizik dalam Persekitaran Dekat-Bawah Permukaan Heterogen untuk Penyiasatan Arkeologi)
MUHAMMAD
TAQIUDDIN ZAKARIA1,*, NORDIANA MOHD MUZTAZA2,
ISMAIL AHMAD ABIR2, NUR AZWIN ISMAIL2 & SHYEH SAHIBUL
KARAMAH MASNAN3
1Department of Earth Sciences and
Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi,
Selangor, Malaysia
Received: 22
August 2024/Accepted: 7 November 2024
Abstract
Lembah Bujang is well-known for its cultural
heritage, comprising a vast variety of archaeological structures and artifacts that could potentially offer valuable insights
into the area’s historical timeline. However, identifying buried archaeological
features via geophysical surveys is a complicated process that necessitates a
comprehensive comprehension of both physical properties and archaeological
knowledge. To overcome this challenge, a research project was conducted to
detect clay brick structures using an integration of geophysical methods such
as magnetic and 2-D resistivity at two separate locations within the SB2ZZ and
SB2 sites. The research discovered two primary types of archaeological features
for these areas, which are mound surfaces and scattered exposed clay bricks.
The magnetic data was processed to identify potential clay bricks, which were
then confirmed using 2-D resistivity. At the SB2ZZ site, excavations uncovered
buried clay brick structures, which reinforced the interpretation of
geophysical findings. Both SB2ZZ and SB2 sites demonstrated that clay bricks
typically exhibit high magnetic anomalies and resistivity values ranging from
50-140 nT and 400-1000 Ωm, respectively. In conclusion,
the combined use of geophysical methods in this study provided detailed
subsurface images that were validated by excavation data.
Keywords: Archaeo-geophysics; magnetic; 2-D resistivity
Abstrak
Lembah Bujang terkenal dengan warisan budayanya yang terdiri daripada pelbagai jenis struktur arkeologi dan artifak yang berpotensi menawarkan pandangan berharga tentang garis masa sejarah kawasan. Walau bagaimanapun, mengenal pasti ciri arkeologi yang tertanam melalui kajian geofizik adalah proses yang rumit yang memerlukan pemahaman menyeluruh tentang kedua-dua sifat fizikal dan pengetahuan arkeologi. Untuk mengatasi cabaran ini, satu projek penyelidikan telah dijalankan untuk mengesan struktur bata tanah liat dengan menggunakan gabungan kaedah geofizik seperti magnetik dan keberintangan 2-D di dua lokasi berasingan dalam tapak SB2ZZ dan SB2. Penyelidikan tersebut menemui dua jenis utama ciri arkeologi, termasuk permukaan timbunan dan bata tanah liat terdedah yang bertaburan. Data magnetik diproses untuk mengenal pasti bata tanah liat yang berpotensi yang kemudian disahkan menggunakan keberintangan 2-D. Di tapak SB2ZZ, penggalian mendedahkan struktur bata tanah liat yang tertanam, yang mengukuhkan tafsiran penemuan geofizik. Kedua-dua tapak SB2ZZ dan SB2 menunjukkan bahawa bata tanah liat biasanya menunjukkan anomali magnetik tinggi dan nilai keberintangan masing-masing antara 50-140 nT dan 400-1000 Ωm. Kesimpulannya, penggunaan gabungan kaedah geofizik dalam kajian ini memberikan imej bawah permukaan yang terperinci yang disahkan oleh
data penggalian.
Kata kunci: Arkeo-geofizik; keberintangan 2-D; magnetic
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