M. Abbas

The implementation of multi-task geophysical survey to locate Cleopatra Tomb at Tap-Osiris Magna, Borg El-Arab, Alexandria, Egypt “Phase II”

Abstract According to some new discoveries at Tap-Osiris Magna temple (West of Alexandria), there is potentiality to uncover a remarkable archeological finding at this site. Three years ago many significant archeological evidences have been discovered sustaining the idea that the tomb of Cleopatra and Anthony may be found in the Osiris temple inside Tap-Osiris Magna temple at a depth from 20 to 30 m. To confirm this idea, PHASE I was conducted in by joint application of Ground Penetrating Radar “GPR”, Electrical Resistivity Tomography “ERT” and Magnetometry. The results obtained from PHASE I could not confirm the existence of major tombs at this site. However, small possible cavities were strongly indicated which encouraged us to proceed in investigation of this site by using another geophysical approach including Very Low Frequency Electro Magnetic (VLF-EM) technique. VLF-EM data were collected along parallel lines covering the investigated site with a line-to-line spacing of 1 m. The point-to-point distance of 1 m along the same line was employed. The data were qualitatively interpreted by Fraser filtering process and quantitatively by 2-D VLF inversion of tipper data and forward modeling. Results obtained from VLF-EM interpretation are correlated with 2-D resistivity imaging and drilling information. Findings showed a highly resistive zone at a depth extended from about 25–45 m buried beneath Osiris temple, which could be indicated as the tomb of Cleopatra and Anthony. This result is supported by Fraser filtering and forward modeling results. The depth of archeological findings as indicated from the geophysical survey is correlated well with the depth expected by archeologists, as well as, the depth of discovered tombs outside Tap-Osiris Magna temple. This depth level has not been reached by drilling in this site. We hope that the site can be excavated in the future based on these geophysical results.

Characterization of the groundwater aquifers at El Sadat City by joint inversion of VES and TEM data

Abstract Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and Transient ElectroMagnetic (TEM) survey have been applied for characterizing the groundwater aquifers at El Sadat industrial area. El-Sadat city is one of the most important industrial cities in Egypt. It has been constructed more than three decades ago at about 80 km northwest of Cairo along the Cairo–Alexandria desert road. Groundwater is the main source of water supplies required for domestic, municipal and industrial activities in this area due to the lack of surface water sources. So, it is important to maintain this vital resource in order to sustain the development plans of this city. In this study, VES and TEM data were identically measured at 24 stations along 3 profiles trending NE–SW with the elongation of the study area. The measuring points were arranged in a grid-like pattern with both inter-station spacing and line–line distance of about 2 km. After performing the necessary processing steps, the VES and TEM data sets were inverted individually to multi-layer models, followed by a joint inversion of both data sets. Joint inversion process has succeeded to overcome the model-equivalence problem encountered in the inversion of individual data set. Then, the joint models were used for the construction of a number of cross sections and contour maps showing the lateral and vertical distribution of the geoelectrical parameters in the subsurface medium. Interpretation of the obtained results and correlation with the available geological and hydrogeological information revealed TWO aquifer systems in the area. The shallow Pleistocene aquifer consists of sand and gravel saturated with fresh water and exhibits large thickness exceeding 200 m. The deep Pliocene aquifer is composed of clay and sand and shows low resistivity values. The water-bearing layer of the Pleistocene aquifer and the upper surface of Pliocene aquifer are continuous and no structural features have cut this continuity through the investigated area.

VLF-EM study for archaeological investigation of the labyrinth mortuary temple complex at Hawara area, Egypt

The present study is a test of the applicability of the VLF-EM method in archaeological prospecting. The Hawara area is about 90 km south of Cairo and is the location of an important archaeological site known as the labyrinth mortuary temple complex, situated south of the Hawara pyramid. No official excavations have been carried out in the labyrinth complex since 1911. VLF-EM was employed in this study using a small grid, 2 m between profiles and stations. The measured data were interpreted using Fraser and Karous-Hjelt filters. Two-dimensional (2D) resistivity cross-sections have been calculated inverting VLF-EM data in a quantitative manner. A three-dimensional (3D) resistivity inversion scheme has been applied to a grid of nine Schlumberger vertical electrical soundings to provide information on the resistivity of the shallow and deep structures in the study area. Results show a large group of elongated and square subsurface anomalies at shallow depths, connected in some parts and separated in others. The spatial distribution of the anomalies significantly matches a historical description by Herodotus.

Landmine Characterization Applying GPR Assessment and ModelingApproaches

There are more than 119 million mines were buried in 71 countries in the world. The number of mine victims is greater than the number of the victims of nuclear and chemical weapons together. Egypt is one of the countries that suffer from the presence of landmines in its soil. Hence, around 21 million landmines are found in several locations, especially at El-Alameen and Sinai Peninsula. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a near-surface geophysical imaging technique used for subsurface geologic, engineering and environmental investigations. It is an efficient tool for landmines detection, especially non-metal types such as PMN-2 landmine as well as its far detection capability. In this paper, our main objective is to validate the ability of Ground penetrating Radar to discriminate between various buried targets. Wavelets transform was used to obtain the spectrum distribution of every buried target. The difference between the distributions of the different target spectrum can be considered as a finger print for each one, the summations of powers at the locations of targets were calculated and compared. Simulation models for different targets were made. The reflections of targets were analyzed by Daubechies Wavelets (db2) transform to differentiate between different targets and to get finger print for every target. This technique was applied for field measurement of different target type and the technique revealed that the variation of finger print for every buried target. We believe that with this t

Implementation of ground penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography for inspecting the Greco-Roman Necropolis at Kilo 6 of the Golden Mummies Valley, Bahariya Oasis, Egypt

Abstract Bahariya Oasis is one of the lately inspected spots in Egypt and has a long historical record extending from the old kingdom till the emergence of Islam. Since June 1999, the Valley of the Golden Mummies near Bawiti (at kilometer 6 on the road leads to Farafra Oasis) became significant due to the discoveries of amazing mummies of gelded faces. The archeologists believe that the Valley has more valuable tombs that still unrevealed. Also, the possibility that the Greco-Roman Necropolis extends to areas other than Kilo-6 is sustainable. The ground penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography are two geophysical tools that have successful applications in archeological assessment. The two techniques were used in integration plan to assert the archeological potentiality of the studied site and to map the feasible tombs. Sum of 798 GPR profiles and 19 ERT cross sections was carried out over the study area. The results of them were analyzed to envisage these results in archeological terms.

GPR scan assessment at Mekaad Radwan Ottoman – Cairo, Egypt

Abstract Mekaad Radwan monument is situated in the neighborhood of Bab Zuweila in the historical Cairo, Egypt. It was constructed at the middle XVII century (1635 AD). The building has a rectangle shape plan (13 × 6 m) with the longitudinal sides approximately WNW-ESE. It comprises three storages namely; the ground floor; the opened floor (RADWAN Bench) and the living floor with a total elevation of 15 m above the street level. The building suffers from severe deterioration phenomena with patterns of damage which have occurred over time. These deterioration and damages could be attributed to foundation problems, subsoil water and also to the earthquake that affected the entire Greater Cairo area in October 1992. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scan was accomplished against the walls of the opened floor (RADWAN Bench) to evaluate the hazard impact on the walls textures and integrity. The results showed an anomalous feature through the southern wall of RADWAN Bench. A mathematical model has been simulated to confirm the obtained anomaly and the model response exhibited a good matching with the outlined anomaly.

Discrimination between landmine and mine-like targets using wavelets and spectral analysis

Abstract Landmine is an explosive apparatus hidden in or on the ground, which blows up when a person or vehicle passes over it. Egypt is one of the countries suffering due to the unexploded ordnance (UXO). Around 2 million UXO are present in the Egyptian soil especially at Al-Alameen province, north of the western desert. Detection of buried landmines is a problem of military and humanitarian importance. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a powerful and non-destructive geophysical approach with a wide range of advantages in the field of landmine inspection. In the present paper, we apply different simulation models with Vivaldi antenna and mine-like targets by using the CST Microwave studio program. The field work is carried out by using a GPR device of model SIR 2000 from GSSI (Geophysical Survey Systems Incorporation) connected to 900 MHz antenna where the targets were buried in sand soil. Depending on the fact that the receiving powers (reflected, refracted and scattered) from the different materials are different, we study the spectral power densities for the received power from the different targets. The techniques used in this study are: direct fast Fourier transform, short time Fourier transform (spectrogram), wavelets transform and denoising techniques. Our results ought to be considered as finger prints for different scanned targets during this work. So we can discriminate between landmines and mine-like targets.

Joint inversion interpretation for gravity and resistivity data: a case study at New Heliopolis City, Cairo, Egypt

Gravity and resistivity data were used in the present study for groundwater exploration using a joint inversion process. One hundred fifty three gravity stations and thirty two vertical electrical soundings were used to determine the thickness and resistivity distribution of the different geological units in the study area. Then, the gravity and resistivity data were utilized concurrently to identify the structural elements, stratigraphic units and groundwater potential in the study area. The results of the joint inverse interpretation have strengthened the analysis and consistency of the outcome. The results revealed the presence of four layers. The first is the Quaternary deposits of thickness ranging from 0.5–2 m; the second layer is the Hommath Formation of Middle Miocene age deposits, which have resistivity ranging from 2–3238 Ωm and thicknesses ranging from 5–40 m. The third layer is the Gabal Ahmar Formation (Oligocene age), which has resistivity ranging from 5–1148 Ωm and a thickness ranging from 10–342 m. The fourth layer is limestone of the Upper Eocene age that exhibits high resistivity values ranging from 80–683 Ωm, depths ranging from 55–350 m and bulk density 2600 kg/m 3 . The results also indicate that the area is dissected by different fault elements trending N-S, NE-SW, NE-SW and E-W.