Intakhin Kiln Site Investigations Using Magnetic and Resistivity Methods at Baan San Pa Tong, Intakhin Subdistrict, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

The Intakhin kiln site is an archaeological kiln site discovered in 1994. The site has been founded as a museum of archaeological kilns of Mueang Kaen located in Intakhin sub-district, Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province. There are potential kilns which have not been excavated around the museum areas. Ground collapsing traces have been found, which were expected to be kilns. Therefore in this study geophysical surveys using magnetic gradient surveys and 3D resistivity surveys used to find such locations of the kilns. The study area was divided into 2 areas. Area 1 was located to the South-East, behind the museum, and Area 2 was located to the North-West, in front of the museum. Both study areas were sectioned into 5 × 20 m2 areas. The magnetic gradient surveys comprised 6 survey lines of 20 m long and with a line spacing of 1 m. Measurement intervals of 1 m were applied to each line, using two sensors at sensor distances of 0.5 m and 1 m, respectively, in order to obtain vertical and horizontal gradients. The results of magnetic data were used to locate positions and directions of kilns. The 3D resistivity measurements were performed using a dipole-dipole configuration with 1 m electrode spacing. The results of the 3D resistivity method were used to confirm the magnetic anomalies and provide information about the variations of kiln feature sizes, directions and depths. Magnetic gradient anomalies and discontinuous values of 3D resistivity were found from data interpretation. In Area 1, anomalies had an apparent resistivity of 50 Ohm.m, and were poised from the southeast (SE) to the northwest (NW), at depths of 0.5 - 1.5 m. The dimensions of anomalies were circa 2x3 m, and the coordinates of anomalies lay in a position 497880E/2121635N. In Area 2, anomalies had an apparent resistivity of 350 Ohm.m, and were poised from the southeast (SE) to the northwest (NW), at depths between 0.5 - 1.5 m. The dimensions of anomalies were also circa 2x3.5 m, and their coordinates were in a position 497814E/2121660N.