GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE ANCIENT APHIDNA REGION FOR THE KOTRONI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROJECT (KASP)

The Kotroni Archaeological Survey Project (KASP) is an interdisciplinary project which integrates historical, archaeological, and geologic data to better understand Bronze Age settlements in the region surrounding the citadel Kotroni in Kapandriti, Greece. Previous surveys conducted through KASP collected and analyzed ceramic sherd and tile distribution, LIDAR data, aerial and satellite imagery, geomorphological and geographic features, and historical maps and imagery. High ceramic scatter density and suspected building foundations on the southern plateau (site Idaho), historical mapping of a previously excavated tumulus south of Lake Marathon (site Tomatillo), and distinctive circular features in LIDAR data east of the citadel (site Powerball) were identified as high-interest areas. The primary goal of the geophysical survey was to further specify the location and significance of the high-interest archaeological sites to inform future research and projects through KASP.

To accomplish this, magnetic gradiometer surveys were conducted in the three areas using magnetometers spaced vertically at 0.5 and 1 meter. Environmental constraints affected transect spacing, which ranged from 1-2 meters at Tomatillo and Powerball. At Idaho, transects were collected both in the x-direction and obliquely in the y-direction at 1 meter spacing. Smaller areas near Tomatillo and Idaho were also surveyed with similar transect spacing. Preliminary data processing reveals magnetic anomalies at Idaho and Tomatillo. In-depth data processing will be conducted to confirm the preliminary observations, and the results of the subsequent data analysis will be presented.