Geophysical prospection of antique structural traces from São Francisco (Évora) Royal Palace with the use of georradar and laser scanner

Abstract

In the place where currently there is the D. Manuel Palace, in Évora, will have been the Royal Palace of S. Francisco, one of the residences of the Portuguese monarchy between the sixteenth and seventeenth century. The building began to decline in 1616 and has been adapted to other occupations, abandoned and destroyed by fire. Between this building and the market there are archaeological remains, discovered during the execution of urban works. The current building was the result of several changes on what’s left, the last one on the front of its facade, which were removed monumental stairs that there is photographic record. This work intends to show the existence of ancient palace remains, integrated into the structures that currently exist within the research effective methods of application of geophysical techniques in Archaeology. To realize the goal, it proceeded to carry out geophysical prospecting with georadar, in areas adjacent to the palace, and with laser scanner, in order to integrate the results of georadar a three-dimensional representation of the current building. The results show the existence of structures that have corresponded to the palace staircase and remains consistent with the view that the palace would be extended to the side where there is the current market.