الفهرس 
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Abstract
Abstract
This study aims to excavate undiscovered antiquities in four regions in Menofia Governorate using geomagnetic and ground radar surveys. These areas have been classified archaeologically into Islamic Coptic areas and ancient Egyptian areas. For example, the Islamic Coptic regions include Tal-El Bendariya, Al-Omarie Mosque, and Al-Marzoky Mosque, while the ancient Egyptian regions include Tal–Baltus. Accordingly, we have divided the study areas into several sites to facilitate the measurements’ conduction. where Tal-Baltus area was divided into two sites (A, B), Tal-El Bendariya area into three sites (1, 2, and 3), and the Al-Omarie Mosque area into four sites (F, C, H, and F), and Al-Marzoky Mosque is one site.
The investigated areas are all located in the Menofia Governorate that is classified as one of the most important governorates of the Delta region in the Arab Republic of Egypt. It occupies the southern part of the Central Delta region, particularly between the Damietta and Rosetta branches. Menofia governorate takes the shape of a triangle with its top in the south and its base in the north of the country. Due to its location near the Nile River, its lands have fertile soil that is very suitable for agriculture, so the main economic activity of its residents is agriculture, in addition to the presence of the largest industrial cities in it, specifically in Sadat City. Compared to the rest of Egypt’s cities, Menofia Governorate is one of the governorates that has a few monuments and archaeological remains
This study chose two geophysical methods widely used recently and highly efficient in archaeological exploration. These methods are (geomagnetism and ground penetrating radar) to clearly depict archaeological monuments buried under the soil. These methods have been widely applied in archaeological excavations in Egypt in the past forty years. Both methods have been implemented successfully and have provided impressive results on the historical features in many Egyptian governorates, regardless of harsh terrain and difficult site conditions. The results in the Tal-Baltus area proved that the magnetic method was effective and successful in detecting of archaeological structures and remains made of granite. The results in the Tal-El Bendariya area also proved that the magnetic and GPR methods effectively and successfully detected archaeological structures made of mud bricks. The results in the Al-Omarie Mosque area also showed that the magnetic method effectively and successfully detected the archaeological remains of granite columns.
Detailed magnetic survey measurements were performed on ten selected sites to delineate the buried archaeological remains using the fluxgate gradiometer (FM256) that measures the vertical gradient of the earth magnetic field. Before carrying out the measurements, the studied areas were cleaned from any visible surface metallic materials that might affect the readings, and wooden pegs were installed at the corners of each area, then small plastic pegs were placed the beginnings and ends of each line of the measuring grid. Then the fluxgate gradiometer (FM256) was set and calibrated above a pre-selected point to prepare it to measure the change in the magnetic gradient from zero level. This process is repeated after the completion of scanning each of the selected areas. The equipment made the measurements with a sensitivity of 0.1 nanoteslas along parallel lines 1 meter apart, and the measurements were taken at 0.5-meter intervals along each line, i.e., about 40 readings per line; then, the field readings were stored in a laptop computer. Then the obtained data were represented and processed using specialized processing programs (Geoplot). The magnetic data processing software steps were applied to remove grid edge discontinuity, stripping effect, iron nail effect, and to smooth and optimize deep feature, and finally improving graphical presentation and obtaining the best picture of the final results of the geomagnetic survey.
Seven sites were selected for a detailed survey using the ground penetrating radar using a 200MHz antenna, most of them were from the sites where the magnetic measurements were carried out. The area of Tal-Baltus was divided into two sites, the first site was about 60 × 40 m, and surveyed with 41 lines, and the second area was 30 × 20 m, and surveyed with 31 lines. One site was selected from Tal-El Bendariya area, in addition to four sites in Al-Omarie Mosque area. The Model 620 scan wheel with a diameter of 16 inches was used to obtain a consistent number of scans over a unit distance of 123 providing a consistent horizontal measure for the entire scan. Each site was surveyed as a single grid with a group of zigzag lines, where the distance between the lines was estimated at 1 m. Since the GPR survey was planned according to structures or features previously discovered from the magnetic survey, north-south and east-west lines were taken to confirm the magnetic results and determine the extent of some linear features. A timescale of 150 ns was recorded with a 200MHz antenna in acquiring horizontal sampling of 20 radar scans per meter and vertical digital sampling of 512 samples per scan.
For each of the studied areas, the results of the GPR were presented in two different ways (two-dimensional and three-dimensional). The interpretation of the GPR was correlated and confirmed with the magnetic findings. . New information was added about some of the delineated archaeological features to describe the archaeological findings found in the study areas comprehensively.
The first area (Tal-Baltus): The delineated archaeological findings from the vertical magnetic gradient measurement indicate the existence of several chamber-shaped structures as well as some scattered fragments of walls and columns. It is very likely to be composed of granite rocks, and this is also supported by the recorded discoveries of similar granite structures in Tal-Kom Apollo near the site of Tal-Baltus. Meanwhile, the findings identified from the GPR data refer to a skeleton-shaped structure made of limestone as well as some scattered fragments of walls and/or column ruins. These results are represented by several sections of variable lengths. The comprehensive interpretation of the integrated magnetic and the GPR survey indicates that the study area may have been part of an ancient port, in addition to some additional structures in the form of rooms used to store goods. The history of this area and its archaeological remains is expected to be dated back to the Greco-Roman era.
The second area (Tal-El Bendariya): The delineated archaeological findings from the vertical magnetic gradient measurement indicate firebrick ovens, hearths, firebrick parts, and mudbrick walls. At the same time, the results obtained from the GPR data indicate that there are some sparse fragments of the mud-brick walls. The comprehensive interpretation of the integrated magnetic and GPR survey strongly indicates that the study area was part of an ancient pottery factory in the Roman times.
The third area (Al-Omarie Mosque campus): The identified archaeological findings from the vertical magnetic gradient measurement indicate parts or pillars of columns made of granite, while the findings identified from the GPR data indicate granite or limestone walls. The comprehensive interpretation of the integrated magnetic and GPR survey indicates the possibility that Al-Omarie Mosque was built on a Roman temple or an ancient church. The residential area surrounding the mosque is considered an archaeological area. This interpretation is supported by the well-known archaeological history of the region, which states that the mosque was built on top of the archaeological hill located in the center of the city of Ashmun in the Menofia Governorate, specifically above the Roman fort.
The fourth area (Al-Marzoky Mosque): The magnetic survey results of this area did not show any magnetic anomalies that could be interpreted as ancient archaeological features or remains. Meanwhile, no GPR survey was conducted on this area because it was an open cemetery from the Islamic era, and it was impossible to work within this area properly.