Ground Penetrating Radar Finding Voids

In archaeology ground penetrating radar is used for mapping archaeological features and cemeteries as well as:

Scope:

Hebrew University

In April 2007 SRI had the privilege of accompanying a team of archaeologists in Israel from the Hebrew University.  We volunteered our services, using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), for two sites in Wadis in the Judean Hills. The first site we arrived at was the Herodium fortress. The fortress is fabled to be the burial place of King Herod the Great. Roman historian, Flavius Josephus, supporting the claim, mentions this as the great burial place of King Herod. So using GPR, we scanned the central tower and the western slope looking for large voids underground; Voids would indicate where a tunnel or the burial place might be.

The first place we went to was the fortress of Herod, the suspected site of Herod's tomb, which shortly after our visit was discovered

This was our team to Israel (from left to right) Eno, Mika, Joshua

We began at the central tower in the fortress. Scanning consisted of sending a continuous signal through the stone outer wall to try to detect any deviation in the soil conditions or voids inside. We Located a couple of locations that looked suspect for them to investigate once we left. Within 3 weeks of our departure, the tomb of King Herod was discovered. Read the Hebrew University Report

The Second place we scanned was Hyrcania in the Judean Hills. The tunnel's origins are somewhat mysterious. They were rumored to be used as a staging ground for battle during the Bar Korchba Revolt. These tunnels are situated in the sides of mountains in a wadi (dry river bed). The region is known as the Valley of Echor. The inclination of the tunnels was about 45 degrees, carved into the bedrock 450ft. (Excerpts taken from Dr. Yliniemi)

Scanning the central tower at Herodium.

By sending a signal from the radar antenna into the walls, we are able to see any deviations in the bedrock, by which findings could lead to a new discovery

Here is a flag marking a suspicious location