3D inversion of VES data from the Saqqara archaeological area, Egypt: a case study

Saqqara is one of the most important archaeological sites in Egypt. The monuments in this area are suffering from the effects of urbanization and temporal and spatial variations in the groundwater level. In an attempt to understand better the problems associated with the groundwater, a geoelectrical DC resistivity survey, comprising 47 vertical electrical soundings using a Schlumberger array,has been conducted. These data have been inverted using a 3D code based on a smoothness-constrained least-squares method. To determine the reliability of the inversion results, a range of tests has been performed. The final 3D resistivity model obtained for the study area provides useful new subsurface geological and hydrogeological information. The new model allows a more integrated image and interpretation of the complex hydrogeological conditions. It also depicts the mutual relationship between the two water-bearing units in the area that was not clear in the previous 1D and 2D interpretations.