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The second initiative was to experiment with resistivity over a part of the palatial complex on the high southern side of the city (Figs 4 and 5). Here the so-called Audience Hall and Ashlar Building were selected as the focus because they had been partially excavated in earlier seasons. White patches represent dummy data over trench backfill or stony ground where readings could not be obtained. The aim was to determine whether this electrical method would produce significantly clearer imagery than the fluxgate gradiometer survey. Results were very encouraging, although there would have been advantages in working at this location earlier in the season when the ground surface was moister. Comparison of the two images (Fig. 5) shows that resistivity survey reveals many smaller buildings which in magnetic survey are partially masked by magnetic signals from the underlying geology. This area will be the main target of resistivity survey at Kerkenes in the spring of 2007. Resistivity survey of this palatial complex should lead to an understanding of its internal divisions and thus allow spatial analysis of the many disparate free standing structures within the enclosing walls.
Even if technical problems encountered with equipment has reduced the efficiency of the survey, continuation of the resistivity survey over several future campaigns is unquestionably worth the investment in time and resources. Refining the Urban Plan
A tentative plan of all the urban blocks in the ancient city has been drawn from the combination of air photographs, GPS micro-topographic survey and the geophysical data. In 2006 the entire southwestern quarter of this plan was checked on the ground with the aid of a hand-held GPS receiver and revised where necessary (Fig. 6).Imaging and Analysis
Great progress was made in reprocessing geophysical data from previous seasons using appropriate software. Data enhancement assists with interpretation (Fig. 7a). David Monsees initiated a new study of our Remote Sensing data to produce imagery which brings out faint details and provides ever greater clarity. Ways of combining the results of geomagnetic and electrical resistance survey were developed (Fig. 7b). These results are being used in preliminary steps towards creating virtual reality simulations of urban blocks, streets, buildings and other features (Fig. 8e). A further stage will be to transform the simplified rectilinear blocks into representations of buildings with pitched roofs and doors as can be reconstructed on the basis of the limited excavation conducted in previous seasons. These processes not only create imagery that brings aspects of the city to life for the casual observer, but also bring to the foreground new archaeological and architectural problems which future research can be designed to address.
In yet another development GIS has been used for viewshed analysis, i.e. determining what it is possible to see from one particular viewpoint, of the territory surrounding the city from various vantage points within. These graphically impressive results (Fig. 7c) demonstrate the visually strategic advantages of the chosen location for what was a new urban foundation, as well as providing some explanations for the line taken by the city wall and the positioning of city gates and defensive towers.