Can integrated geophysical investigations solve an archaeological problem? the case of the so-called Domus septem parthorum in Rome (Italy).

Integrated geophysical prospecting has produced remarkable results in the field of archaeology. In addition to the recognition of archaeological sites, the evolution of a site can be reconstructed. Therefore, the combination of more than one geophysical technique can aid in understanding the layout of a site and help to answer interpretative questions. In this paper, we illustrate the use of two geophysical prospecting methods – ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) – to interpret the archaeological site of the so-called Domus septem Parthorum in the center of Rome (Italy). The ability to investigate the subsurface at different horizontal and vertical resolutions demonstrates the advantage of using these two methods. The GPR provides high-resolution data on the upper remains in the shallow part of the soil, and the ERT detects deeper targets for a complete and exhaustive reconstruction of the buried anomalies. The results of this paper confirm the archaeological hypothesis that this so-called domus was repurposed as a house of worship during the Late Antiquity. In particular, the integrated geophysical acquisition supports the possible existence of a buried Paleochristian basilica.