2-D inversion of VES data in Saqqara archaeological area, Egypt

The interpretation of actual geophysical field data still has a problem for obtaining a unique solution. In order to investigate the groundwater poten tials in Saqqara archaeological area, vertical electrical soundings with Sc hlumberger array have been carried out. In the interpretation of VES data, 1D resistivity inversion has been performed based on a horizontally layered earth model by El-Qady (1995). However, some results of 1D inversion are n ot fully satisfied for actual 3D structures such as archaeological tombs. T herefore, we have carried out 2D inversion based on ABIC least squares meth od for Schlumberger VES data obtained in Saqqara area. Although the results of 2D cross sections were correlated with the previous interpretation, the 2D inversion still shows a rough spatial resistivity distribution, which i s the abrupt change in resistivity between two neighboring blocks of the co mputed region. It is concluded that 3D interpretation is recommended for vi sualizing ground water distribution with depth in the Saqqara area.