Results of Geophysical Research at the Ust`-Biyke-I Site (in the Altai)

Abstract: Ust’-Biyke-I may become one of the most important archaeological complexes in the northern Altai region. Previous research established that the site was first occupied in the developed Mesolithic. Traces of subsequent occupations up to the Bronze Age were later discovered, in addition to burial structures. A loss of archaeological deposits at the mouth of the Biyke River occurred due to natural and anthropogenic activity. In order to identify the most promising areas for future excavations, geophysical surveys of the site were conducted. An area of 31.5 x 24 m was examined with electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Results revealed an object with a diameter of about 4 m that was not visible on the ground surface. In its center at a depth of 1.5 m, a local anomaly was observed. Another isometric anomaly was observed in the southwestern part at a depth of 0.75 m. Other anomalies were also noted in the surveyed area, some of which are visible in the modern terrain as small depressions. Future excavations will clarify the geophysical survey. Keywords: Altai, archaeological site, geophysical research, electrical resistivity tomography, groundpenetrating radar, settlement Acknowledgements: Geophysical study at the site was conducted with the financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project № 17–29–04122), archaeological work was carried out at the expense of the project NGS-67706R-20.