Muon Technology Opens New Path for 3D Mapping of Underground Archaeological Sites

A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University has demonstrated the feasibility of using cosmic-ray muon detectors to map hidden underground spaces at archaeological sites.

The innovative method, tested at the City of David in Jerusalem, reveals voids such as tunnels, cisterns, and chambers by analyzing how muons penetrate soil and rock. Published in the Journal of Applied Physics, the study marks a breakthrough in non-invasive subsurface imaging, combining physics, archaeology, and future AI applications.

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1. Proof of feasibility: The study confirms that cosmic-ray muon detectors can be used effectively to locate underground spaces.
2. Muon principle: Muons, heavy particles formed in the atmosphere, penetrate deep into the ground and can be tracked to reveal hidden voids.
3. Analogy with X-rays: Just as X-rays pass through soft tissue but are absorbed by bone, muons pass through dense matter differently, allowing detection of cavities.
4. Field test: The method was successfully demonstrated at Jeremiah’s Cistern in the City of David, combining muon flux data with LiDAR scans.
5. Archaeological importance: Many ancient sites, especially in limestone regions like the Judean Foothills, conceal extensive subterranean spaces that are otherwise invisible.
6. Historical use: Muons were first used in the 1960s to search for hidden chambers in Egypt’s pyramids; the new work adapts the technology with smaller, portable detectors.
7. Challenges in practice: Operating detectors at archaeological sites requires overcoming issues of power supply, temperature, and humidity.
8. Range and resolution: Detectors can realistically analyze underground structures up to 30 meters deep within reasonable timeframes.
9. Future development: Researchers call for improved detectors—smaller, cheaper, and more efficient—to make the method widely usable in archaeology.
10. Next steps: The team plans to apply AI to vast muon datasets to create full 3D subsurface maps, with Tel Azekah set as the next test site.