Geophysical prospecting in archaeology: investigations in Santa Venera, south suburb of Poseidonia-Paestum, Campania, southern Italy

Integrated geophysical surveys, including magnetic, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and geoelectrical techniques, successfully identified buried archaeological structures such as walls, canals, and tombs in the Santa Venera area of Paestum, Italy. These non-destructive methods provided critical insights that guided systematic excavations, confirming the presence of Greek and Roman settlement remains. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of high-density, cross-correlated geophysical surveys in preventive archaeology, enabling precise planning for infrastructure development while preserving significant cultural heritage in compliance with European guidelines.

Loperte, A., Satriani, A., Bavusi, M., Lapenna, V., Del Lungo, S., Sabelli, R., & Gizzi, F. T. (2011). Geophysical prospecting in archaeology: investigations in Santa Venera, south suburb of Poseidonia-Paestum, Campania, southern Italy. Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, 8(3), S23–S32. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-2132/8/3/s03