Integrative Geophysical Studies at the Novaya Kurya-1 Cemetery in the Kulunda Steppe

We outline the results of prospection studies at the Novaya Kurya-1 cemetery in the south of Western Siberia, using remote sensing methods such as aerial photography, ground-based magnetometry, high-precision aemmagnetic survey, electromagnetic profiling, and electmtomography. Original techniques were used to construct relative relief maps, and an inversion of data from ground-based magnetic survey at various altitudes was carried out. The first technique reduces the effect of natural relief and highlights anthropogenic altitudinal anomalies, making the analysis of digital elevation models more efficient. The second technique is helpful for assessing the thickness and depth of anomalous magnetic bodies or horizons, not only providing planigraphic information but enabling us to evaluate two- and three-dimensional geometric properties of the detected objects. As a result of the analyses, at least 14 kurgans were identified at the cemetery, six of which lack salient outward features. Structural details suggest that most of them date to the Early Scythian time (800-400 BC). On the basis of the interpretation of the results of highly efficient prospection analyses using the UAV platform, offering the possibility of surveying a large area (about 25 ha), the boundaries of the site were determined Several features were detected To identify these, further studies are needed.

Automated summary

Prospection studies at the Novaya Kurya-1 cemetery in Western Siberia utilized remote sensing methods and original techniques to identify 14 kurgans, most of which date back to the Early Scythian period. Further studies are needed to identify additional features detected at the site.