GPR scan of Roman ruins

Unearthing the Past: How Geoprospecting is Rewriting Roman History at Aquinum

Avery Sinclair in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Dive into the cutting-edge techniques archaeologists are using to uncover the secrets of the ancient Roman city of Aquinum, revealing its hidden stories beneath the surface."

Archaeological digs have always been a blend of careful excavation and educated guesswork. But what if we could 'see' beneath the surface without disturbing the precious layers of history? That's the promise of geoprospecting, a suite of technologies that are changing the way we explore the past. Among these, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) stands out as a particularly powerful tool, allowing archaeologists to map buried structures and features in incredible detail.

One site where GPR is making a significant impact is Aquinum, an ancient Roman city located in central Italy. For years, archaeologists have been painstakingly uncovering Aquinum's secrets, but GPR technology is now helping them to accelerate the process, revealing hidden structures and guiding future excavations with unprecedented accuracy.

Imagine being able to walk across a field and, with the aid of a radar scan, visualize the layout of a Roman bathhouse or the foundations of a forgotten temple. This is not science fiction; it's the reality of modern archaeological research, and it's transforming our understanding of the Roman world.

GPR: A Window into the Ancient World

Ground Penetrating Radar works by sending radio waves into the ground and analyzing the signals that bounce back. Different materials and structures reflect these waves in unique ways, allowing archaeologists to create detailed subsurface maps. It’s like giving the earth an ultrasound, revealing what lies hidden beneath the surface without the need for extensive digging. The surveys conducted in the Roman archaeological site of Aquinum used a RIS-HI mode GPR system equipped with a double antenna with central frequencies at 200 and 600 MHz.

In the case of Aquinum, GPR surveys were conducted in two key areas: one near the remains of the ancient thermal baths, where there are plans to build a car park, and another close to an apsidal Roman building. The goal was to determine the extent of any buried structures and to guide future excavation efforts. The data collected was then processed using specialized software (GPR-SLICE) to create detailed images of the subsurface.

The benefits of using GPR in archaeology are numerous:

Non-destructive: It allows researchers to investigate sites without disturbing them.
Efficient: Large areas can be surveyed relatively quickly.
Detailed: High-resolution data can reveal subtle features that would be missed by traditional methods.
Cost-effective: GPR can reduce the need for extensive excavation, saving time and resources.

The GPR results at Aquinum have been promising. The surveys revealed clear anomalies in both areas, suggesting the presence of buried structures and features. In the area near the thermal baths, GPR data indicated the potential continuation of the bath complex, providing valuable information for future planning and preservation efforts. Near the apsidal building, the surveys helped to delineate the extent of the structure and identify other possible features, shedding light on its original purpose and layout.

Aquinum: A City Re-emerging

The use of GPR at Aquinum is not just about uncovering the past; it's also about preserving it for the future. By providing detailed maps of buried structures, GPR helps archaeologists make informed decisions about where to excavate, minimizing damage to the site and maximizing the potential for new discoveries. As technology advances, we can expect even more sophisticated methods of geoprospecting to emerge, further transforming our understanding of the ancient world. The story of Aquinum is a testament to the power of these technologies and the exciting possibilities they hold for future archaeological research.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s10712-018-9497-8, Alternate LINK

Title: Geoprospecting Survey In The Archaeological Site Of Aquinum (Lazio, Central Italy)

Subject: Geochemistry and Petrology

Journal: Surveys in Geophysics

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Maurizio Lazzari, Lara De Giorgi, Giuseppe Ceraudo, Raffaele Persico

Published: 2018-09-15

Everything You Need To Know

How does geoprospecting, specifically Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), allow archaeologists to 'see' beneath the surface without disturbing the precious layers of history?

Geoprospecting uses techniques like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to 'see' beneath the surface without disturbing the site. GPR sends radio waves into the ground and analyzes the returning signals. Different materials reflect these waves in unique ways, allowing archaeologists to create detailed subsurface maps. It's like giving the earth an ultrasound, revealing what lies hidden beneath the surface without extensive digging.

What are the key advantages of using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) in archaeological digs, and how do these benefits contribute to more effective and efficient explorations?

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) offers several advantages: it's non-destructive, allowing investigation without disturbing the site. It's efficient, surveying large areas quickly. It's detailed, revealing subtle features traditional methods miss. Finally, it's cost-effective, reducing the need for extensive excavation. These benefits make GPR invaluable in archaeological explorations, as demonstrated at the Roman archaeological site of Aquinum.

In the context of Aquinum, how was Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) utilized to explore the ancient site, and what specific areas were targeted for investigation?

At Aquinum, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys were conducted near the ancient thermal baths (where a car park is planned) and near an apsidal Roman building. The objective was to determine the extent of buried structures and guide future excavations. The data collected was processed using specialized software (GPR-SLICE) to create detailed images of the subsurface, helping to delineate structures and identify possible features, shedding light on their original purpose and layout.

What are the technical specifications of the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system used at Aquinum, and why are specific frequencies important for archaeological surveys?

The RIS-HI mode Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system used at the Roman archaeological site of Aquinum was equipped with a double antenna with central frequencies at 200 and 600 MHz. The choice of frequencies influences the resolution and depth of penetration. Higher frequencies offer better resolution for shallow targets, while lower frequencies penetrate deeper but with reduced resolution. Selecting the appropriate frequencies is crucial for optimizing GPR surveys to effectively map buried structures and features.

How does Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) detect anomalies beneath the surface, and what can these anomalies tell archaeologists about potential buried structures at a site like Aquinum?

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) detects anomalies by analyzing how radio waves reflect off different materials and structures underground. These reflections create detailed subsurface maps, which can reveal the presence of buried structures such as foundations, walls, and even voids. By identifying these anomalies, archaeologists can pinpoint promising areas for excavation, guiding their efforts and maximizing the potential for new discoveries while minimizing damage to the site, as demonstrated in the use of GPR at Aquinum.