From Survey to Rescue Excavation: Ground Truthing Geophysical Data From the Timișoara-Freidorf La Tène Culture Settlement

Abstract

The current study employs a geophysical approach, integrating magnetic and Electrical Resistivity Tomography techniques, to unveil the Timișoara-Freidorf La Tène culture settlement in the lowlands of the Banat region, southwestern Romania, within the context of a rescue excavation. A multi-method approach was adopted in order to enhance archaeological precision. Geophysics proved essential in unveiling historical layers facing imminent destruction, providing insights into settlement organization. With a 71% correspondence rate between predicted and excavated archaeological features, we highlight the effectiveness of magnetic measurements in anticipating content for subsequent rescue excavations, especially in the context of La Tène culture features, where an overall detection rate of 85.7% is achieved. A total of 38 potential archaeological features were identified, with subsequent excavation confirming six as La Tène culture features. The excavation uncovered a detailed chronology, emphasizing craft workshops and a semicircular structural pattern. This research not only underscores the efficacy of geophysical methods in anticipating excavation content but also contributes significantly to the identification and understanding the organizational structures of Late Iron Age communities in the Banat region, a region still in its early stages of exploration.