• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.262-269
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• 2005

Since the buried cultural relics are three-dimensional (3-D) objects in nature, 3-D survey is more preferable in archeological exploration. 3-D Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey based on very dense data in principle, however, might need much higher cost and longer time of exploration than other geophysical methods commonly used for the archeological exploration, such as magnetic and electromagnetic methods. We developed a small-scale continuous data acquisition system which consists of two sets of GPR antennas and the precise positioning device tracking the moving-path of GPR antenna automatically and continuously. Since the high cost of field work may be partly attributed to establishing many profile lines, we adopted a concept of data acquisition at arbitrary locations not along the pre-established profile lines. Besides this hardware system, we also developed several software packages in order to effectively process and visualize the 3-D data obtained by the developed system and the data acquisition concept. Using the developed system, we performed 3-D GPR survey to investigate the possible historical remains of Baekje Kingdom at Buyeo city, South Korea, prior to the excavation. Owing to the newly devised system, we could obtain 3-D GPR data of this survey area having areal extent over about $17,000m^2$ within only six-hours field work. Although the GPR data were obtained at random locations not along the pre-established profile lines, we could obtain high-resolution 3-D images showing many distinctive anomalies, which could be interpreted as old agricultural lands, waterways, and artificial structures or remains. This cast: history led us to the conclusion that 3-D GPR method is very useful not only to examine a small anomalous area but also to investigate the wider region of the archeological interests.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.08a
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• pp.49-69
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• 2004

One of the important roles of geophysical exploration in archeological survey may be to provide the subsurface information for effective and systematic excavations of historical remains. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPA) can give us images of shallow subsurface structure with high resolution and is regarded as a useful and important technology in archeological exploration. Since the buried cultural relics are the three-dimensional (3-D) objects in nature, the 3-D or areal survey is more desirable in archeological exploration. 3-D GPR survey based on the very dense data in principle, however, might need much higher cost and longer time of exploration than the other geophysical methods, thus it could have not been applied to the wide area exploration as one of routine procedures. Therefore, it is important to develop an effective way of 3-D GPR survey. In this study, we applied 3-D GPR method to investigate the possible historical remains of Baekje Kingdom at Gatap-Ri, Buyeo city, prior to the excavation. The principal purpose of the investigation was to provide the subsurface images of high resolution for the excavation of the surveyed area. Besides this, another purpose was to investigate the applicability and effectiveness of the continuous data acquisition system which was newly devised for the archeological investigation. The system consists of two sets of GPR antennas and the precise measurement device tracking the path of GPR antenna movement automatically and continuously Besides this hardware system, we adopted a concept of data acquisition that the data were acquired arbitrary not along the pre-established profile lines, because establishing the many profile lines itself would make the field work much longer, which results in the higher cost of field work. Owing to the newly devised system, we could acquire 3-D GPR data of an wide area over about $17,000 m^2$ as a result of the just two-days field work. Although the 3-D GPR data were gathered randomly not along the pre-established profile lines, we could have the 3-D images with high resolution showing many distinctive anomalies which could be interpreted as old agricultural lands, waterways, and artificial structures or remains. This case history led us to the conclusion that 3-D GPR method can be used easily not only to examine a small anomalous area but also to investigate the wider region of archeological interests. We expect that the 3-D GPR method will be applied as a one of standard exploration procedures to the exploration of historical remains in Korea in the near future.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.08a
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• pp.70-83
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• 2004

The safety diagnosis of cultural assets is Primarily focused on its non-destructiveness. Research on the nondestructive diagnosis and conservation of masonry cultural heritage is the key which is considered by technologic kernel. Geophyscial Prospecting as nondestructive diagnostic technology plays an important role in the characterization of the foundation of stone pagodas. It is natural that understanding of shallow subsurface condition beneath them is essential for their structural safety diagnosis. As an example, the nondestructive geophysical methods were applied to two three-story stone pagodas, Seokgatap (height 10.8 m, width 4.4 m, weight 82.3 ton) and Dabotap (height 10.4 m, width 7.4 m, weight 123.2 ton) which were built in 791 at Bulkuksa temple. An earlier archaeological investigation shows that stone pagodas have experienced severe weathering process and are slightly leaning, which will threaten their stability At the base part of Dabotap, an offset of the stone alignment is also observed. Direct measurements of ultrasonic velocities was introduced for the mechanical properties of the stone The velocity ranges of ultrasonic waves for Dabotap and Seokgatap are 1217${\~}$4403 m/s and 584${\~}$5845 m/s, respectively, and the estimated averages of the uniaxial compressive strength are 463 kg/$cm^2$ and 409 kg/$cm^2$, respectively. Site characteristics, around the pagodas are determined by the measurement of multiple properties such as seismic velocity, resistivity, image of ground-penetrating radar, On the basis of the higher velocity structure, the site of Seokgatap appears to have solider stability than the Seokgatap site. Near the pagodas, higher(up to 2200 $\Omega$m) resistivity is present whereas their outskirts have as low as 200 $\Omega$m. By the combined results of each geophyscial methods, the subsurface boundaries of two stone pagodas are revealed. The Dabotap site is in the form of an octagon having 6-m-long side with the depth of ${\~}$4 m, whereas the Seokgatap site is the 8 ${\times}$ 10 m rectangle with the depth of 3 m. These subsurface structures appear to reflect the original foundations constructed against the stone load of ${\~}8 ton/m^2$. At the subsurface beneath the northeast of each pagoda, low seismic velocity as well as low resistivity is prominent. It is interpreted to represent the weak underground condition which Is the possible cause of the slightly leaning pagodas toward the NNW.