Detecting the Effect of Groundwater Seepage on the Archaeological Site of Habu Temple of Luxor, South Egypt, Using the Dc Resistivity Tool

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Research Institute for Groundwater, National Water Research Center, Egypt

2 Survey of Natural Resources Department, ESRI, University of El-Sadat City, Egypt.

Abstract

Egyptian antiquities are considered the most critical monuments on the earth and show their renaissance in Habu Temple at Luxor area. The objective of the study is utilizing the DC resistivity, to identify the effect of groundwater seepage on the site of archaeological Habu Temple. Nine vertical electrical soundings (VESs) have been carried out, to delineate the subsurface geoelectric units to realize the subsurface geologic structures, the effect of Groundwater on Habu Temple and standing behind the hydrogeologic conditions of the study area. The quantitative interpretation showed that, the near surface sequence of the subsurface in the investigated area splits into four geoelectric units. The 2nd unit, consisting of sand and gravel, is the major Quaternary aquifer, while the 3rd unit consists essentially of clay, representing the bottom of this aquifer. The agricultural activities, urbanization and flash cause the rising of groundwater level, capillary effects and the salt amount in the groundwater and rock material, thus degradation of the archaeological sites. Integrated groundwater administration, by the sharing and cooperation of the different water users, should be taken into consideration, to avoid raising the groundwater levels toward and around the archaeological sites, is recommended. Also, irrigation systems of drip and sprinkler are recommended, as the best systems to improve irrigation water on the farms of the study area.

Keywords

Journal of Applied Geophysics (Cairo)
Volume 21, Issue 2
September 2022
Pages 44-57

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