Cesium Magnetometry for Characterization and Preservation of an Archeological Site at Argamum, Romania

Argamum-(Orgame) is one of the four oldest Greek settlements established on the shore of the Black Sea alongside Callatis, Tomis, and Histria. Founded around the middle of the seventh century BC, on the northern coast of Dobrudja-Romania, the ancient city occupies the entire area of Cape Dolojman, which dominates an important lagoon complex located south of the Danube delta. The main purpose of the geophysical surveys, which were made in the spring of 2022 by using the cesium vapor magnetometer (G-864), was to identify the fortification elements and adjacent buried structures in the main gate zone specific to this type of settlement and to establish a new archeological research strategy. The delimitation area for the magnetic survey was chosen in accordance with the presence of ceramic material on the surface. By subsequently using a Trimble R4 GPS system, two grids, aligned in a north–south direction inside the fortress near the main gate, were assigned and traced with respect to the geomorphological configuration and vegetation present on the site. The data were bidirectionally collected by surveying a grid characterized by a line spacing of 1 m and a sample rate of 25 readings per meter. This paper presents the interpretation of the large magnetic anomalies observed on the two investigated grids. Archeological research carried out in 2022 confirmed the results obtained by using the geomagnetic survey method and by revealing the existence of fortification walls and adjacent buildings in the main gate zone. In the second phase, we used the Potent Q software to model the dimensions, positions, shapes, and tilt of the buried artifacts. Finally, the geophysical study performed at the ancient city’s main gate area demonstrated that magnetometry is capable of providing a rapid overview of the distribution of buried artifacts, which may prove useful for future excavation planning.