Archeoacoustic Stress Testing versus High-Resolution Seismic Detection: A Theoretical Comparative Analysis of Resolution Limits and Material Constraints in Low-Impedance Media

Abstract This technical note presents a comparative theoretical analysis between conventional high-resolution seismic detection techniques and the proposed theoretical framework of Archeoacoustic Stress Testing (AST). The primary objective is to mathematically evaluate the theoretical resolution limits, signal propagation variables, and operational constraints that distinguish the two methodologies in archaeological geophysics. Specifically, this paper contrasts the empirical application of macroscopic seismic mapping utilized on the diffuse pebble layer of the Baodun site city wall (Jiang et al., 2025) against the localized, ground-coupled acoustic induction model of AST designed for the Roman infrastructure of the Civitas Nerviorum. The analysis demonstrates that broad-spectrum seismic techniques suffer from severe viscoelastic attenuation, spherical divergence, and Rayleigh wave constraints when applied to low-impedance sedimentary matrices. Conversely, the AST framework utilizes an active kinetic pulse to measure the acoustic impedance of high-density lithic structures, such as Roman Opus Caementicium. By shifting the operational paradigm from the horizontal geometric mapping of low-contrast boundaries to the vertical point-verification of discrete, high-contrast anomalies, AST isolates the lithic resonance signature from background sedimentary noise. The findings validate AST as a highly specialized, non-destructive pre-excavation optimization tool that leverages digital micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and automated topographical integration, providing a computationally viable theoretical alternative to traditional analog seismic arrays in environments exhibiting massive material density variance. Please note that this comparative analysis does not seek to contest the empirical veracity nor deteriorate the documented findings of Jiang et al. (2025). Instead, it acknowledges their research as a foundational benchmark for macroscopic seismic application while delineating the specific high-contrast environments where the AST framework provides a distinct theoretical alternative.