Scientists testing advanced scanning technology have identified what may be a previously unknown structure buried beneath an ancient Egyptian settlement, offering new insight into hidden archaeological layers. The discovery was made at Buto (Tell el-Fara’in), a site with continuous occupation spanning thousands of years.
The research team used a combination of satellite-based radar and ground-level imaging techniques to locate subsurface anomalies before excavation. The approach integrates data from the Sentinel-1 with electrical resistivity tomography, enabling researchers to map buried structures in three dimensions and guide targeted excavation efforts, according to Phys.org.
Initial scans revealed multiple layers beneath the surface, reflecting the site’s long history of repeated construction and destruction. Near the top, researchers identified debris from later historical periods, including Roman and Ptolemaic remains. At greater depths, between three and six meters below ground, the technology detected a large, well-defined structure dating back approximately 2,600 years to Egypt’s Saite period.
Based on the size and configuration of the anomaly, researchers believe the structure could be a tomb, temple, or shrine. To verify the findings, the team conducted a limited excavation in a 10-by-10-meter ?????? of the site. The dig uncovered mudbrick walls and religious artifacts in locations that closely matched the predictions generated by the scanning models.
The technology used in the study combines synthetic aperture radar, which identifies large-scale features from space, with electrical resistivity tomography, a method that sends electrical currents through the ground to measure how different materials respond. These variations are then used to reconstruct a three-dimensional image of what lies beneath the surface, often compared to a medical CT scan.
Researchers noted that this integrated method allows archaeologists to avoid extensive and costly excavation, particularly in environments like the Nile Delta where groundwater and dense sediment layers complicate traditional digging. By pinpointing areas of interest in advance, the technique can reduce disruption while improving accuracy.
The findings also highlight the complexity of sites like Buto, where centuries of rebuilding have buried earlier structures beneath layers of later development. Mapping these layers without excavation provides a more comprehensive understanding of how ancient cities evolved over time.
The research team plans to expand its surveys using larger-scale equipment to explore deeper levels that may contain even older remains. They also suggest that the combined use of satellite imaging and geophysical scanning could be applied to other archaeological sites, potentially transforming how buried structures are identified and studied.
The discovery demonstrates how emerging technologies are reshaping archaeological methods, enabling researchers to uncover hidden features while minimizing the need for invasive excavation.