Bondar K. Geophysical methods in archaeology: theory, methodology, practice

The work aims to substantiate geophysical theories and methods employed in archaeological heritage protection and study based on the results of field geophysical observations and studying of physical properties of geological and archaeological materials. For the first time, archeological objects were discovered in a non-destructive way and the spatial structure of four dozen monuments of different chronological periods are characterized with the use of geophysical data - magnetometry, electrical resistivity tomography, ground penetrating radar. On the example of ground cemeteries of Chernyakhiv culture of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine the mechanism for magnetic anomaly formation above the object deepened to the subsoil which was not exposed to fire and does not contain considerable amount of the burnt clay or soil is described. Criteria for magnetic stratigraphy of multilayered kurgan burial grounds in the Northern Black Sea area have been developed. Methodological principles of complementary application of geophysical methods at geoarchaeological investigation on karstified area of Podillya are determined. The methodological bases of using a priori information for interpretation of ground penetrating radar data obtained in architectural constructions are substantiated. Key words: magnetometry, electrical resistivity tomography, ground penetrating radar, archeological monument, physical-archeological model, soil, cultural layer.