Archaeogeophysical investigation using magnetic and GPR surveys at Tal-Baltus, Menofia Governorate, Egypt

An integrated geophysical survey using land magnetic and ground penetrating radar (GPR) methods was conducted to investigate the archaeological findings and ancient cultural relics at an undiscovered 100 m × 60 m in Tal-Baltus in El-Sadat city, Menofia Governorate, Egypt. The study area at Tal-Baltus was chosen among several archaeological hills in the Menofia governorate due to its archaeological significance in the Greco-Roman history of Egypt. The total area was first surveyed using the magnetic method, and then two small promising sites within this area were selected for the GPR survey. The obtained magnetic results showed the presence of remarkably high anomalies with different shapes of irregular geometry. Therefore, they are interpreted as ruins of old storage rooms related to an ancient harbor-shaped structure. Besides, numerous scattered pillars and column heads were also delineated and matched with remains of granite blocks in abundance in the study area, taking the same trend as the delineated magnetic anomalies. In addition, the GPR results highlighted several hyperbolas with variable amplitudes and sizes, which have been interpreted as the shallow foundation of a potential ancient harbor made of limestone. The comprehensive interpretation of the integrated magnetic and GPR surveys strongly suggests that the study area may be a part of an ancient harbor in addition to some other ancillary room-shaped structures used for cargo storage purposes and scattered portions of walls and pillars dating back to the Greco-Roman era.