Context in caves, caves in context: Experimental geophysical research in four caves in Central Italy

Archaeological cave research is a highly specialized discipline with a strong focus on local detail, in which geophysical methods are only marginally applied for prospection. This article presents an experimental project to test the application of two common geophysical techniques, ground penetrating radar and electrical resistivity, for the detection of prehistoric deposits in limestone caves. Four partially excavated caves in Central Italy were selected with typical cave situations: high ceilings, low ceilings, fine cave sediments, rock debris, and collapsed rooms. The available archaeological documentation of the caves provided an interpretative framework for the geophysical data. The work and results in the four caves are presented, as well as an outlook to the wider use of geophysical techniques in cave research.