Prehistoric chamber tombs or geological pitfall? A multimethod case study from Ancient Aigeira with a focus on seismic full‐waveform inversion

We show an extensive multimethod geophysical study of focusing on some enigmatic subsurface structures found at Ancient Aigeira (N Peloponnes, Greece) that could be interpreted either as prehistoric chamber tombs or complex weathering patterns the local marl–conglomerate rock sequences. It turns out nonseismic methods do not allow to distinguish between archaeological and a geological origin observed with certainty. In contrast, we demonstrate how shear-wave seismics full-waveform inversion (FWI) can used in prospection for distinguishing these alternative essentially different interpretational models are distinguishable through data. The example site is strategically well located hill Northern Peloponnese overlooking Corinthian Gulf has been inhabited occupational gaps since Middle Neolithic times until 12th early 14th century ce. Magnetics, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) reveal honeycomb-shaped anomaly pattern have system tombs. time-domain SH-FWI strategy based sequential low-pass band-pass filtered data results velocity density accurately fits complicated seismic set. A highly heterogeneous revealed characterized by linear cracks decimetre scale. FWI compared detail GPR, ERT among each other. result consistent other but provides more comprehensive characterization it supported corings addition. With help survey, reject interpretation hypothesis cemetery confirm represent structure addressed reincised fan delta draped reddish palaeosols.