Exploring the Subsurface of an Ancient Harbor at Tel Akko, Israel : Using 3D Ground Penetrating Radar Imaging and Software

Abstract

From the Late Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period, Tel Akko, Israel was a thriving port city located on the northern portion of the Haifa Bay. Due to stable sea levels, longshore coastal drift, and associated aeolian deposition on the prograding Zevulun Plain, Tel Akko’s coastline prograded out. The study presents ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys collected at the south and southwest base of Tel Akko, which is where the coast is theorized to have been located. Three GPR grids were collected using a Sensors and Software pulseEKKO 1000 GPR system. The data was analyzed using EKKO_Project, and Voxler. The frequencies used in the study were 225 and 500 MHz, with corresponding step sizes of 0.1m and 0.05m. GPR survey results indicate that within grid A there is a drop-off associated with the end of the Kurkar Sandstone. Locations beyond the “drop-off” would be viable locations for a coastal harbor. Grid B contained areas interpreted as sedimentary downlap in an east to west direction. Grid C contains multiple areas of chaotic reflections indicating disturbances. On the eastern side of Grid C, the subsurface stratigraphy revealed regions of right-angled reflection patterns, which are interpreted as human-made features. The research done in this project seeks to inform and guide future archeological and geophysical studies at Tel Akko.