Looking for the Gate : Imaging at Bethsaida Israel : A Ground Penetrating Radar Perspective

Abstract

The ancient city of Bethsaida is in the northern Galilee region of Israel along shores of the Sea of Galilee and is mentioned by Pliny the Elder, Josephus as well as several Biblical texts. First excavated in 1987, the site continues to be excavated. During this time, researchers discovered that multiple habitation layers exist, and the site known as et-Tell. The site has been investigated using multiple geospatial methods including ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology. The GPR methodology sends electromagnetic pulses into the subsurface and records their returns. In collaboration with the archaeologists, a Sensors and Software pulseEKKO 100 GPR system with 100 MHz antennae was used to collect two grids in search of a possible gate structure below the presented excavations. The data was processed using EKKO_Project with an inclined reflection noted in the 2D imagery. This continuous reflection pattern was interpreted as subsurface target horizon for on-site archaeologists. A test probe confirmed the GPR results, located another habitation layer, and has led to extensive excavations at et-Tell.