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Because of the strategic importance of the Abydos archaeological site in Egypt as a source of wealth for Egyptian tourism, this study was concerned with carrying out geophysical measurements to detect subsurface succession and measure variations in the geotechnical engineering features of the soils/rocks in order to protect this significant area. The findings will assist geologists and seismologists in collaborating with archaeologists for future site development, revitalization, and investment. The primary objectives of this work were to determine the subsurface lithology, evaluate the engineering geotechnical properties of soils/rocks, identify the layer thicknesses, and identify the site class by calculating V_s³⁰. To achieve these goals, seventeen (17) seismic refraction tomography (SRT) P- and S-wave measurements were executed in front of the Osirion location. SeisImager Software was used for the processing and interpretation of the outcomes. The results were the travel time–distance curves, which were used for building the 2D seismic models that exhibited the velocity and the depth of the layered models. These models were validated by our previous works using electric resistivity tomography and borehole data. The results indicated that this site consisted of three geoseismic subsurface layers. The first layer was the surface that was made up of wadi deposits, which were a mixture of gravel, sand, and silt and were characterized by incompetent to slightly competent materials. The second layer corresponded to the sand and muddy sand deposits of competent rock that was of fair to moderate quality. The third layer (clay deposits) had a higher velocity and was more compact and may be employed as a bedrock layer. The elastic moduli, V_s³⁰, petrophysical, and geotechnical properties of the three geoseismic layers were appraised as essential parameters. Integration of petrophysical and geotechnical parameters and elastic moduli revealed that the third layer was composed of competent clays, which were characterized by low values of porosity, void ratio, Poisson ratio, and stress ratio. It also had a high rigidity, Young’s and bulk moduli, concentration and material indexes, N-value, ultimate bearing capacities, and high density values, and vice versa for the first layer. The standard NEHRP site class was B (rocks). These parameters are ordinarily used as key indications and serve as significant inputs for any future work. Full article

The scientific controversy among archaeologists about the existence of paleochannels under the Abydos archaeological site, Sohag, Egypt connecting the Osirion (cenotaph of Seti I) with the Nile River has been explained in this study. This study is an attempt to address this issue using integrating a near-surface geophysical approach with stable isotopic geochemistry on this site. Particularly, the stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopes on the water samples collected from the surface and the groundwater in the study area were analyzed and interpreted. The isotopes result showed that the Osirion water is a mixture of three different types of water: Old Nile Water (ONW) before the construction of the High Dam, Recent Nile Water (RNW) after the construction of the High Dam, and Paleowater (PW) from deeper aquifers. Field observations of the Osirion and nearby water cannot explain the presence and direction of this water. Therefore, the next step in this study is determining the location and the direction of the paleochannel connecting the Osirion with the Nile River which was proven using the electric resistivity tomography (ERT) technique. By using the results of the isotope of all types of water near the Osirion and its surrounding wells and the water of the Nile River, in addition to the near-surface geophysical measurements, the results indicated that the 3D view of the ERT data revealed a prospective paleochannel in the direction of the northeast and its location, where this channel is in charge of providing groundwater from the Nile River to the Osirion location. Full article

Climatic changes because of groundwater levels rising near the archaeological sites became a fundamental issue in Egypt. The problem will affect the deterioration of the stone foundations of the temples and any archaeological features, which will affect their deformation, changing their features, and their archaeological and architectural importance. Osirion in Abydos archaeological place, west of Sohag Governorate, undergoes this problem where the level of ground water increases west of this site in the spring season. Solving this problem will help to preserve the antiques at the Abydos site and, in particular, the Osirion and its surrounding area. It is important to understand the hydrostratigraphic conditions of the Abydos site and its surroundings. The main objectives of the work are: (1) characterizing the subsurface succession and lithology; (2) identifying the sources responsible for the groundwater level rising near the Osirion, and groundwater assessment distribution and water table depth; and (3) evaluating the subsurface location and geometry of any paleochannels that may represent conduits for groundwater flow pathways to join the water to the studied site. All this information will aid the officials to decide and make future solutions to solve these problems. To achieve these goals, the authors implemented an advanced geophysical technique, namely electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) investigations in conjunction with the existing boreholes data. The main outcomes of this work are 2D and 3D representations of the resistivity distributions, which reflect a full picture about the subsurface engineering layers, including details of the lithology of the study site. The subsurface succession includes four geoelectrical zones that were recognized. The water table level in the study site varies from 5 m to 14 m as confirmed from all the ERT profiles together with the available borehole data. A three-dimensional visual representation of the water-bearing muddy sand formation shows the presence of a potential channel in the north-east direction and its location, which is responsible for delivering the groundwater from the Nile River to the Osirion site. This result is in consistent with archaeological studies conducted in the Osirion site, where there are ancient archaeological text and drawings on the temple walls and columns. By defining the direction of the groundwater pathways, the authors recommend the decision-makers to take the engineering precautions to try to prevent the groundwater from reaching the important archaeological sites by establishing the dams and partitions. In addition, they should monitor and control the groundwater level changes around the archaeological foundations by implementing all the necessary measurements to prevent the soil subsidence and foundation collapse, and establishing a dewatering system network. Full article