Ground Penetrating Radar investigations in sites of cultural interest in Malta

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a series of geophysical surveys carried out in Malta. In particular, we used a reconfigurable stepped-frequency Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) prototype to inspect the Argotti Garden in Floriana, looking for ancient buried cisterns, and the floor of the Nymphaeum inside the garden, to assess its conditions prior to restoration works. We subsequently used a commercial pulsed GPR system to assess the walls of the co-cathedral of St. John, in Valletta, and the walls of a building of the University of Malta, in Msida. All measurements were performed during a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) funded by the COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) Action TU1208 “Civil engineering applications of Ground Penetrating Radar.” Of course the work performed during the STSM consisted also in the processing and interpretation of the gathered data.