Electrical methods in archaeological exploration

Nowadays there is no doubt that Geophysics, and in particular resistivity methods, provide powerful tools to help archaeologists in excavation planning. Although more time consuming, these methods can be used in areas with strong cultural noise, where magnetics cannot be used, and when some frequencies are forbidden and therefore restrictions on the use of ground probing radar and EM exist. High resolution 2D and 3D resistivity methods are now possible and faster because of field equipment development, and techniques, as well as the introduction of fast and reliable numerical methods to carry out interpretation and modelling. Herein, an account of the different arrays, a discussion on the noise measurements, on resistivity profiling, mapping and imaging is given. Finally, an older, but fast and reliable modelling technique is revisited, and its use on worksheets and laptop computers provides an alternative and efficient way for a quick modelling of field data.