Multichannel GPR and multi-depth electromagnetic surveys for the study of Villa Eucheria and Aquinum at Castrocielo (Frosinone, Central Italy)

Abstract

The municipality of Castrocielo (Frosinone, Italy) is a historically significant center which includes several centers of great archaeological importance, including part of the archaeological site of the ancient Roman city of Aquinum. In this work, we show the results of geophysical surveys performed in two different areas: the first area is close to the Monacato of Santa Maria al Palazzolo, built on the foundation slab of a Roman villa dating back to the 1st-2nd century BCE; the second area is close to the charging station Casilina Est, where several burials, dating back to different periods from 4th century BCE to 4th century CE, were found. The aims of geophysical investigations is to identify structures linked to the ancient Roman villa (Villa Eucheria) in Area 1, and to identify the tombs of the necropolis in Area 2. The two areas were investigated in two different days, on 27th and 28 ^th March 2023 respectively, through a multi-channel georadar system (GPR). In the second area, an electro-magnetometric survey was also performed. This choise is to address the heavy rain developed during the night before the acquisition. Infact the GPR survey performed during the second day of the geophysical campaign did not provide good results.Based on the geophysical results, the archaeological excavation in Area 1 confirmed the detected anomalies, documenting a section of wall and other structures and elements brought to light over a length of approximately 9 m. The results obtained in Area 2 confirmed the cropmarks visible in the aerial photo, highlighting the traces of buried structures.