<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">IJG</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>International Journal of Geosciences</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2156-8359</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/ijg.2017.810073</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">IJG-80044</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Earth&amp;Environmental Sciences</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  GPR Tomography as Support for an Archaeological Excavation in Aripuan&#227; Indigenous Cemetery, Amazon Region, Brazil
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Jorge</surname><given-names>Luís Porsani</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Renato</surname><given-names>Kipnis</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Vinícius</surname><given-names>Rafael Neris dos Santos</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Emerson</surname><given-names>Rodrigo Almeida</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Iris</surname><given-names>Fernandes</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff2"><addr-line>Scientia Consultoria Científica, S&amp;amp;atilde;o Paulo, Brazil</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Universidade de S&amp;amp;atilde;o Paulo, Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas, Departamento de Geofísica,
S?o Paulo, Brazil</addr-line></aff><author-notes><corresp id="cor1">* E-mail:<email>jorge.porsani@iag.usp.br(JLP)</email>;<email>rkipnis@scientiaconsultoria.com.br(RK)</email>;<email>vinicius@iag.usp.br(VRNDS)</email>;<email>emerson@iag.usp.br(ERA)</email>;</corresp></author-notes><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>25</day><month>10</month><year>2017</year></pub-date><volume>08</volume><issue>10</issue><fpage>1264</fpage><lpage>1277</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>28,</day>	<month>August</month>	<year>2017</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>28,</day>	<month>October</month>	<year>2017</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>31,</day>	<month>October</month>	<year>2017</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  
    We present here a series of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey carried out in different areas of the Dardanelos 1 archaeological site in order to generate information about subsurface anomalies associated with archaeological material that could be use in decision making within the environmental licensing process of the Dardanelos Hydroelectric Power Plant, located near of the Aripuan
   &amp;atilde; city, Mato Grosso State, northwest region of Brazil. GPR surveys with 200 MHz antenna were carried out in two blocks aiming to locate archaeological resources and features. The analysis of GPR 2D and 3D results allowed detecting anomalous regions characterized by hyperbolic reflections, shallow elongated continuous targets with high amplitudes, as well as sub-horizontal reflectors. Microwave tomography allowed estimating the geometry of the GPR anomalies sources. Excavations were done by archaeologists at the locations where hyperbolic anomalies were found, revealing interesting structures related to urns in the middle of a rich in organic matter consisting of black and ceramic materials up to about 1 m deep. The first sub-horizontal reflector at approximately 1 m depth is related to the base of the black soil layer rich in organic matter and the second sub-horizontal reflector between 2 and 3 m deep suggests a lithological change or may be related to presence of the water table. The continuous elongated shallow targets observed in the depth slices are related to tree roots in the middle of the archaeological strata. The GPR results guided archaeological excavations, reduced the time and costs involved in research, and contributed to the preservation of Brazilian historical heritage. 
  
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)</kwd><kwd> Microwave Tomography</kwd><kwd> Archaeology</kwd><kwd> Anthropogenic Soil</kwd><kwd> Dardanelos Hydroelectric Power Plant</kwd><kwd> Amazon Region</kwd><kwd> Brazil</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>The use of geophysical methods in archaeological investigations has increased considerably in recent decades. In particular, the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref1">1</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref2">2</xref>] has contributed to non-destructive actions, guiding archaeological excavations, reducing costs and time related to research and excavations. GPR permits to obtain lateral and vertical information in high resolution about the shallow subsurface. The results can be presented by 2D profiles and 3D profiles as fence diagrams, interpolated cubes and amplitude maps in depth slices [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref3">3</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref4">4</xref>] . Some interesting results of GPR investigations in archaeological studies can be found in the literature [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref5">5</xref>] - [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref11">11</xref>] , among others.</p><p>In Brazil, the researcher Anna Roosevelt used the GPR for the first time on the Maraj&#243; Island to map archeological sites made of ceramic materials [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref12">12</xref>] , followed by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref13">13</xref>] . Ten years later, Cezar et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref14">14</xref>] also employed GPR to search for ceramic materials from archaeological sites in Rio de Janeiro State. Other geophysical researches in archaeological investigations include fluvial sambaquis [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref15">15</xref>] , coastal sambaquis [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref16">16</xref>] , shelter on rock [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref17">17</xref>] , archaeology in urban areas [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref18">18</xref>] .</p><p>In this paper, GPR surveys were carried out in the framework of the environmental licensing of the Dardanelos Hydroelectric Power Plant, Mato Grosso State, northwestern of Brazil (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>). Dardanelos is located in the municipality of Aripuan&#227;, where the Aripuan&#227; river passes, located in the region of the legal Amazon. The hydroelectric is located on the left bank of the middle Aripuan&#227; river, opposite of Aripuan&#227; city. The region has been a logging and agricultural expansion front since the 1970s, and was also the nucleus of the project known as the Humboldt Science City (Aripuan&#227; Project). The Cinta Larga and Arara indigenous people have inhabited the region since immemorial times, and are nowadays the traditional inhabitants of the region that covers the Municipality of Aripuan&#227; and, in turn, the basin of the homonymous river and the Salto de Dardanelos [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref19">19</xref>] .</p><p>The archaeological research was carried out in the area of the Dardanelos Hydroelectric Power Plant, a large prehistoric village known as Daradanelos 1 archeological site. This village is formed by sedentary populations, agricultural practitioners and producers of numerous ceramic vessels, lithic artifacts, and anthropogenic black earth formation.</p><p>In this framework, the present study shows the microwave tomography (MT) results of 2D and 3D GPR surveys with 200 MHz antenna in two blocks of</p><p>studies inside the archaeological site of Dardanelos 1. The advantage of MT is that it permits to recover the geometry of the anomalies in subsurface that cause hyperbolic reflections. The main goal was to identify areas of greater archaeological sensitivity as an alternative to avoid the impact in areas of greater sensitivity, guiding archaeological excavations, reducing costs and excavation time, and assisting in protection measures. Interesting results of this research are presented in this paper, which revealed large urns, some of which might contain human remains, contributed to the preservation of the national patrimony and showed the importance of using the GPR method in archaeological studies.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Area of Study and Archaeological Context</title><p>The study area is located on the left bank of the Aripuan&#227; river, municipality of Aripuan&#227;, northwest region of the Mato Grosso State, Brazil. It is located around 700 km from Cuiab&#225; city in the Mato Grosso State and about 510 km from the Porto Velho city in the Rond&#244;nia State. The municipality of Aripuan&#227; is located in the region comprised by the legal Amazon. The geophysical survey was carried out in two blocks of studies at the archaeological site of Dardanelos 1 (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>).</p><p>The area of the Dardanelos is located in a region characterized by great environmental diversity, as a result of its location in a transition area between the Chapada de Dardanelos and the Amazonian Depression, the latter consisting of a more reduced topography area. The Aripuan&#227; river basin itself is in a transition region between the Amazonian and cerrado forest domains that occur in the Central Plateau.</p><p>In the contact between the Chapada de Dardanelos and the Depression, there are two great waterfalls, the Salto de Dardanelos and the Salto das Andorinhas. To the south of these waterfalls, on the right bank, is the urban area of Aripuan&#227;, and on the left bank the archaeological site Dardanelos 1 (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>).</p><p>The Aripuan&#227; river basin is a promising archaeological area, in the interplay of the Madeira-Tapaj&#243;s rivers, considered as one of the routes of expansion of the Tupi and Proto-Tupi groups in pre-colonial times. The region is characterized as an extensive open-air ceramic site that covers a 1300 meter extension with the presence of anthropic black soil, housing the Dardanelos 1 site that features ceramics of diverse affiliation, such as Borda Incisa, Tupi and others.</p><p>Sixteen radiocarbon dates were obtained from charred samples sent to Beta Analytic (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref>). A very ancient assay of 7700 &#177; 50 BP (ARIP05) and a more recent one dated to 150 &#177; 40 BP (ARIP02) are stratigraphic inversion and it is yet not clear if they are associated with archaeological levels. The other thirteen assays present stratigraphic coherence, are associated with archaeological levels presenting rich material culture, strongly suggesting occupation of the site between 1490 &#177; 40 and 4890 &#177; 40 years before present by indigenous societies that were manufacturing ceramic and lithic artifacts, and based on producing economy associated with Amazonian Dark Earth.</p><table-wrap id="table1" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref></label><caption><title> Radiocarbon assays obtained from Dardanelos 1 charred samples grouped by spatial proximity</title></caption></table-wrap><p>The upper Madeira River region, although not well-known archaeologically, shows signs of ancient occupations, dating to the beginning of the Holocene, around 9000 years before the present (BP) and includes what appear to be the oldest anthropogenic soil throughout the Amazon [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref20">20</xref>] . This region is still the supposed center of initial domestication of economically important plants in the Amazon, such as manioc (Manihot esculenta) and pupunha (Bactris gasipaes). Finally, this may also be the initial center of dispersion of Tupi-speaking peoples [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref21">21</xref>] .</p><p>The oldest pre-colonial occupations in the Mato Grosso and Rond&#244;nia States are related to the occupation of the region by hunter-gatherer societies with great mobility, especially recognized by the remnants of the production and use of lithic artifacts produced by flaking technique (Itaparica Tradition, Serran&#243;polis Tradition and Dourado Complex). They dominated the region for at least 8000 years (between 12,000 years BP and 4000 years BP), with very contradictory dates, which suggest even greater antiquity [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref22">22</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref23">23</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref24">24</xref>] . The first people settled in both caves and shelters under rock and open skies [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref20">20</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref25">25</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref26">26</xref>] .</p><p>According to Miller [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref20">20</xref>] the region of the upper Madeira River shows evidence of older occupations dating from the beginning of the Holocene around 9000 years BP and includes the oldest black land sites throughout the Amazon region. Miller [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref22">22</xref>] study about a housing site (4780 &#177; 90 years BP at 2640 &#177; 60 years old BP) showed an anthropogenic soil known as Amazonian Dark Earth (ADE), together with lithic artifacts used in the processing of agricultural products, suggesting the existence of agricultural activities between the pre-ceramic groups.</p><p>The Santa Elina archaeological site, located about 650 km south of the Aripuan&#227; city, Mato Grosso State, shows evidence of occupations by hunter societies and collectors around 12,000 to 4000 years BP [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref25">25</xref>] . In the Pedra City, at a distance of about 850 km south of the Aripuan&#227; City, a set of archaeological sites presents evidences of occupations by hunters and collectors with about 4000 years BP, and a site known as Caverna do Cip&#243; presents evidences of Occupations around 7000 years BP [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref26">26</xref>] . The Morro da Janela site located in the region of Rondon&#243;polis, near the Pedra City, presented a 10,000-year BP dating [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref27">27</xref>] .</p><p>Despite strong evidence of a Tupi origin in the region of the Alto Madeira River, the archaeology of the region is unknown. Miller [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref20">20</xref>] estimated a 2500 year BP for the earliest ceramic phase in the Alto Madeira River (Urucuri Phase). The authors suggest a new archaeological horizon for the Alto Madeira basin region based on the characteristics of the material culture and absolute dating. The Jamari Tradition consists of four phases: Urucuri, Jamari, Cupu&#237; and Matapi, began around 2130 years BP, being the Una Tradition that occurs in Central Brazil.</p><p>Recently Zuse [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref28">28</xref>] has suggested the presence of Arawak cultural matrix peoples in the Alto Madeira region, between 3000 and 1500 years BP. In the subsequent period, that is, from 1500 years BP, occupations became denser due to the greater number of ceramic fragments observed in thicker archaeological layers of black earth, and with visible technological changes, whose demographic increase would have reached its Around 1000 BP, represented by Barrancoide ceramics. Also according to Zuse [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref28">28</xref>] the process of occupation of the region by sedentary, agricultural societies would have undergone profound transformations since the arrival of the holders of the Pol&#237;croma Tradition of the Amazon, called the Jatuarana Subtradition.</p><p>The Dardanelos 1 site is part of the Alto Madeira River, presenting high potential to generate information to test the models presented, since only a small portion of the archaeological site was affected by the construction of the Dardanelos Hydroelectric Power Plant.</p></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Data Acquisition and Processing</title><p>Geophysical studies at the archaeological site of Dardanelos 1 started in July 2009. Several GPR profiles were acquired on two rectangular archaeological blocks classified as block-1 and block-2, which were selected based on their archaeological potential (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>). The blocks have the following dimensions: block-1 has 24 m along the east-west direction (dir-x) and 10 m along the north-south direction (dir-y) and block-2 has 12 m along the East-west direction (dir-x) and 15 m along the north-south direction (dir-y).</p><p>108 GPR profiles were acquired with 200 MHz shielded antennas with a SIR-3000 (GSSI) equipment (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>). In block-1, 52 GPR profiles were acquired, with 31 profiles in the x-direction (east-west) and 21 profiles in the y-direction (north-south). In block-2, 56 GPR profiles were acquired, with 31 profiles in the x-direction (east-west) and 25 profiles in the y-direction (north- south). The reflection profiles with constant spacing were acquired in constant offset mode, with 0.5 m between each parallel profile and 0.02 m of trace interval. Each block allowed generating a volume of 3D data through the interpolation of 2D parallel profiles. The results were presented in the form of profiles and amplitude maps in depth-slices.</p><p>Radan 7.0 software (GSSI) was used for GPR data processing. The main steps of the data processing were: zero time correction, bandpass temporal filtering, background removal, 3-traced moving average spatial filtering, time-variating linear gain, and time-to-depth conversion. To conclude, the conversion of the time profile to depth was done using the constant velocity of 0.07 m/ns. This velocity was calculated based on the fit of the hyperbola Dix equation [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref29">29</xref>] on the point targets identified in the reflection profiles.</p><p>Microwave tomography (MT) is an advanced data processing technique and has also been used in this research to improve GPR images in order to recover the geometry of the source of the anomalies that cause hyperbolic reflections. The theory of MT is described in the literature and consists of a problem of inversion of geophysical data [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref30">30</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref31">31</xref>] .</p><p>As the electric field irradiated by the transmitter antenna propagates through the geologic medium a backscattered electric field is registered by the receiver antenna when there are contrast sources below the surface. The summation of the irradiated electric field ( E i ) and the scattered electric field ( E s ) is the total electric field ( E t ), which is the radargram itself.</p><p>The solution for this inverse problem is an image that represents the contrast function of the surveyed area. The contrast function ( χ ) gives an image of the discretized space below the surface which allows a qualitative analysis of the contrast caused by inhomogeneities present in the soil, and is given by</p><p>χ = | ε − ε b ε b |</p><p>where ε = ϵ − i / σ ω is the complex dielectric permittivity for each pixel in the image, ϵ is the real dielectric permittivity, σ is the electric conductivity, ω is the angular frequency and ε b = ϵ b − i σ b / ω is the complex dielectric permittivity assumed for the homogeneous background.</p><p>The inverse problem in the microwave tomography is non-linear [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref30">30</xref>] , thus it must be linearized. Although the complex dielectric permittivity is present in the equation, a quantitative analysis is not possible because of approximations done during the linearization of the inverse problem. Its linearization is done by means of the Born approximation [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref31">31</xref>] , which assumes that the targets are small in terms of the wavelength and have low contrast compared to the background material. Some results of MT applied to GPR data can be found in literature, like in studies for archaeology and forensics [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref32">32</xref>] and underground features mapping [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref33">33</xref>] for instance. The tomographic images were obtained with the RadImage v1.0 program [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref34">34</xref>] and they are presented in the next section.</p></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Results Interpretation</title><p>All 200 MHz GPR profiles from each archaeological block were analyzed together and the results are presented in the form of amplitude maps in depth slices and 2D profiles. The GPR anomalies with the greatest archaeological potential are highlighted directly in the figures of depth slices and 2D profiles. These anomalies were selected for further archaeological excavations aiming the confirmation of the targets. The most expressive GPR results for each archaeological block studied are presented below.</p><sec id="s4_1"><title>4.1. Block-1</title><p><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref> shows the amplitude map of the GPR signal in the form of depth slice to 0.62 m for block-1. Note a well-defined rectangular-shaped anomaly (A1) with high amplitude at the center of the figure (position x = 11.3 m - 13.5 m, y = 5.2 m - 7.0 m). According to field observations, this rectangular-shaped anomaly is related to a previous excavation done in the studied area that had to be halted due to time constrains, and was resumed in the following year. According to Conyers [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref4">4</xref>] GPR profiles with high amplitude reflectors are more likely to be related to archaeological targets, but may also be associated with buried natural targets, for example, silicified tree roots [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref16">16</xref>] , bedrock [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.80044-ref17">17</xref>] , among others. Note also the presence of a reflector with high amplitude of elongated and continuous format (TR) (position x = 21 m - 22 m, y = 0 m - 5 m). This elongated anomaly corresponds to the tree root according to local excavation.</p><p><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>(a) shows a GPR profile in the y-direction corresponding to the position x = 12 m (indicated by an arrow in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>). The reflection pattern is quite complex, showing two strong sub-horizontal reflectors at approximately 1 m and 2 m depths. Note also a clear anomaly characterized by a high amplitude hyperbolic reflector (A1) with vertex at the 6 m position, corresponding to the anomaly observed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>. <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>(b) shows the tomographic image corresponding to <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>(a). Note in the position of 6 m the anomaly A1 with approximately circular geometry.</p><p>The analysis of the anomaly A1 (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>) showed that it is the same target and is therefore suitable for archaeological excavations. <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref> shows the result of the archaeological excavation on the A1 anomaly. The excavation revealed an indigenous urn of circular shape in the middle of a soil rich in organic matter characterized by black soil.</p></sec><sec id="s4_2"><title>4.2. Block-2</title><p><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref> shows a GPR depth slice for 0.60 m for block-2. The presence of a discontinuous point anomaly (A2) with small dimensions (position x = 2.9 m - 3.5 m,</p><p>y = 3.7 m - 5.3 m) is also observed. Notice another square-shaped discontinuous point anomaly (EA) (position x = 2.4 - 3.6 m, y = 10 - 11.2 m). It is worth noting that this is a punctual and discontinuous anomaly, and may be related to a target with archaeological potential due to the geometry and its dimensions. Note in this figure the presence of an elongated and continuous high - amplitude reflector (TR) (position x = 6 m - 12 m, y = 4.7 m - 5.5 m).</p><p><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>(a) shows a GPR profile in the y-direction corresponding to the position x = 3.0 m (indicated by an arrow in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>), crossing over the anomaly A2. Again the reflection pattern is complex, showing two sub-horizontal reflectors, as well as a sharp hyperbolic anomaly of high amplitude (A2) with vertex at the position of 4.9 m, corresponding to the anomaly A2 observed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>. Note also a vertical anomaly between the position y = 10 - 11.2 m, coinciding with the anomaly (EA) observed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>. <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>(b) shows the tomographic image corresponding to <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>(a). Observe in the position of 4.9 m and around 0.5 m deep (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>(b)) a clear anomaly with circular geometry corresponding to hyperbola A2 (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>(a)).</p><p>Similar to the excavations made in block-1, the GPR results guided the archaeological excavations on the A2 anomaly observed in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>. <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref> shows the result of the archaeological excavation on the A2 anomaly. This excavation also revealed an indigenous urn of circular shape in the middle of a soil rich in ceramic materials mixed with organic matter consisting of black earth up to about 1 m deep.</p><p>The anomalies in continuous elongated (TR) (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>) were not characterized as a target of archaeological interest, because they are very shallow. These anomalies were related to the presence of tree roots (TR) that are common in the study area.</p><p>The analysis of the GPR 2D profiles (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>(a) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>(a)), besides allowing the detection of hyperbolic anomalies, also permit to detection of two high-amplitude sub-horizontal reflectors that occur around 1 m and between</p><p>2 - 3 m depth. Excavations of hyperbolic anomalies have revealed targets of archaeological interest. The first sub-horizontal reflector showed good agreement with the base of the black earth layer rich in organic matter and ceramic shards. Additionally, the second sub-horizontal reflector may be related to a lithological change or to the presence of water table. These interpretations are only speculative and are beyond the scope of this work.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s5"><title>5. Conclusions</title><p>The microwave tomography GPR results with 200 MHz antennas permit to detect geophysical anomalies in depth slices and reflection profiles. The anomalies were characterized by hyperbolic reflectors and sub-horizontal structures. Hyperbolic anomalies indicated areas with great potential for finding archaeological targets. Microwave tomography improved the spatial positioning and allowed estimating the geometry of GPR anomalies.</p><p>Excavations in blocks 1 and 2 revealed positive results with the location of urns related to hyperbolic anomalies. The first sub-horizontal structure at 1 m depth corresponds to the base of the black earth layer rich in organic matter and ceramic shards. Shallow continuous anomalies were related to the tree roots that are common in the Amazon region.</p><p>The results showed the efficiency of the GPR method for detecting archaeological targets at the site of Dardanelos 1. The studies guided the archaeological excavations, reduced exploration costs, and contributed to the preservation of national historical patrimony.</p></sec><sec id="s6"><title>Acknowledgements</title><p>We thank Energ&#233;tica &#193;guas da Pedra e Scientia Consultoria for all the financial, logistical e fieldwork support. JLP thanks to CNPq-National Council for Scientific and Technological Development for the Research PQ-1D (Grant: 301692/2013-0). RK thanks to CNPq PQ-2D (Grant: 300892/2005-5). VRNS thanks to Fapesp for his postdoctoral fellowship (Grant: 2014/18209-6). ERA thanks to Fapesp for his postdoctoral fellowship (Grant: 2016/25929-0). IF thanks CAPES-Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education for the Master’s degree. IAG/USP is also grateful for the support and infrastructure. We thank Ernande Costa Santos and the people who assisted in the acquisition of geophysical data.</p></sec><sec id="s7"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Porsani, J.L., Kipnis, R., dos Santos, V.R.N., Almeida, E.R. and Fernandes, I. (2017) GPR Tomography as Support for an Archaeological Excavation in Aripuan&#227; Indigenous Cemetery, Amazon Region, Brazil. International Journal of Geosciences, 8, 1264-1277. https://doi.org/10.4236/ijg.2017.810073</p></sec></body><back><ref-list><title>References</title><ref id="scirp.80044-ref1"><label>1</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Daniels, D.J. (2007) Ground Penetrating Radar. 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