Digging up the Past

Physics-based techniques have been used for many years in archaeology in geophysical surveying, artefact analysis and dating. Elements of the first two of these are broached in the chapter with (i) resistivity surveying providing further insight into the electrical properties of materials, (ii) a study of X-rays and X-ray diffraction showing how archaeologists identified the materials from which the York Coppergate Helmet was made and deduced the conditions in which it had been buried and (iii) how optical and electron microscopy reveal fine detail that can give archaeologists vital information.

The picture shows how artefacts buried in soil can be modelled with slightly conductive paper (Teledeltos) and then searched for using simple electrical techniques as would be used in resistivity surveys. This reinforces students' earlier work on resistance and extends it to an analysis of resistivity.

The main physics content areas are:

DC electric circuits; resistivity
Diffraction, superposition and resolving power