Application of seismic surface waves at a pre-Columbian settlement in Honduras
1998; Wiley; Volume: 5; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1002/(sici)1099-0763(199809)5
ISSN1099-0763
Autores Tópico(s)Geological and Tectonic Studies in Latin America
ResumoArchaeological ProspectionVolume 5, Issue 3 p. 139-157 Research Article Application of seismic surface waves at a pre-Columbian settlement in Honduras Barbara A. Luke, Corresponding Author Barbara A. Luke Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4015, USADepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154–4015, USA.Search for more papers by this authorJames E. Brady, James E. Brady Department of Anthropology, California State University, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USASearch for more papers by this author Barbara A. Luke, Corresponding Author Barbara A. Luke Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4015, USADepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154–4015, USA.Search for more papers by this authorJames E. Brady, James E. Brady Department of Anthropology, California State University, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 19 January 1999 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0763(199809)5:3 3.0.CO;2-OCitations: 4AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract A technique to locate culturally significant features by means of mechanical stiffness contrasts using seismic surface waves was applied at a Pre-Columbian settlement along the Talgua River near the town of Catacamas, Department of Olancho, Honduras, Central America. This technique was adapted from geotechnical engineering, where it is used to establish layering of soil and rock. With this surface-based, non-intrusive technique, a stress pulse is applied at the ground surface and the resulting ground motion is sensed and recorded using a pair of geophones placed on the ground surface a short distance away. Through spectral analysis, the dispersive characteristics of the earth between the two geophones are determined. Anomalies were mapped by comparing dispersion "signatures" along linear arrays. For corroboration, electrical resistivity measurements were also conducted. Ground truth was established through excavations, during which several significant features were unearthed. The most valuable result of the geophysical investigation was the discovery that a thick layer of fill had been brought in to level the site. This documented that the Talgua Village was constructed on top of a massive modification of the natural landscape and implies a higher level of political power and complexity than suggested by the modest size of the surface mounds. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Citing Literature Volume5, Issue3September 1998Pages 139-157 RelatedInformation
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