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Ground Penetrating Radar Applied to Monumental Stone Conservation: Application to the Rock Necropolis of San Vítor de Barxacova in NW Spain

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Abstract

This paper deals with the application of the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method in the assessment of stone monuments. Compilation of published works and a discussion of their main findings are first addressed. Next, to show the potential of the method, a case study is presented aiming to assess the state of conservation of the rock necropolis of San Vítor de Barxacova (Ourense, Spain) consisting of 56 anthropomorphic graves carved into the natural rock. Fieldwork was carried out using a GPR system equipped with a 2.3 GHz central frequency antenna. The main goal of this study is to provide an effective approach for the detection and localization of internal damages such as fractures and voids. New amplitude-based 2D and 3D imaging strategies are presented aiming to improve damage detection. A new approach was also developed to digitize the extracted information into a point cloud format, thus improving the possibilities for 3D visualization with the surrounding environment. Although a total of 39 graves were surveyed, only 13 graves are included in this paper due to their singularity and relevant results. The potential of using GPR tests for the assessment of the conservation state of monumental stone structures is also discussed.

Article Highlights

  • A case study is presented aiming to assess the state of conservation of a rock necropolis (cemetery) in Spain

  • New amplitude-based imaging strategies allowed us to detect inner voids and fractures

  • A new approach was developed to digitize the extracted information into a point cloud format

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Acknowledgments

This work has received funding from the Xunta de Galicia—GAIN—through the project ENDITí (Ref. ED431F 2021/08). M. Solla acknowledges the Grant RYC2019–026604–I funded by MCIN/AEI/10. 13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in your future.” Funding for open access charge: Universidade de Vigo/CISUG. The algorithms developed for the recognition of fracture patterns in granite and digitization into a point cloud are a contribution to the project Ref. RTI2018-095893-B-C21. This article is based upon work from COST Action SAGA: The Soil Science and Archeo-Geophysics Alliance—CA17131 (www.saga-cost.eu), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology www.cost.eu).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CINTECX, GeoTECH Research Group, Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain

    Mercedes Solla & Ahmed Elseicy

  2. Curator and Restorer of Cultural Heritage, 36005, Pontevedra, Spain

    Gonzalo Buceta-Bruneti

  3. Professional Archaeologist, 32004, Ourense, Spain

    Breogán Nieto-Muñiz

Authors
  1. Mercedes Solla
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  2. Gonzalo Buceta-Bruneti
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  3. Ahmed Elseicy
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  4. Breogán Nieto-Muñiz
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Correspondence to Mercedes Solla.

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Solla, M., Buceta-Bruneti, G., Elseicy, A. et al. Ground Penetrating Radar Applied to Monumental Stone Conservation: Application to the Rock Necropolis of San Vítor de Barxacova in NW Spain. Surv Geophys 43, 1587–1606 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10712-022-09728-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10712-022-09728-x

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