Geophysical Fingerprinting of African Archaeological Sites: Developing a Multi-Method Framework for Characterizing Historical Clay and Mud Structures

This project aims to develop a comprehensive framework for characterizing traditional clay and mud-based structures in African archaeological contexts. The project addresses the critical challenge of distinguishing between natural soil formations and anthropogenic structures in African archaeological sites, where traditional architecture predominantly used clay and mud-based materials. The research combines laboratory experimentation with field investigations, utilizing multiple geophysical methods including ground-penetrating radar, electrical resistivity tomography, and magnetic gradiometry. Through controlled laboratory experiments, the project will characterize the physical properties of traditional building materials, measuring their electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and dielectric properties under various conditions. The project’s significance extends beyond archaeological discovery, contributing to heritage preservation and technological innovation in Africa. It will create the first standardized methodology specifically tailored to African archaeological contexts, while training a new generation of African scholars in advanced geophysical techniques. The three-year project will deliver multiple outputs including a comprehensive database of geophysical signatures, standardized protocols for archaeological surveys, peer-reviewed publications, and a book manuscript. This work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals and supports the broader goal of strengthening African research capacity in archaeological science.