In this study, we explore the potential of subsurface seismic tomography to model deeply buried archaeological features, specifically qanat systems. A qanat is an underground water supply network of horizontal tunnels and vertical shafts that channel water from distant aquifers to settlements and fields in arid zones. Traditional geophysical prospection methods for underground archaeology—such as magnetometry, electrical resistivity, or GPR—have limited penetration and are ineffective for deeply buried remains, such as qanats.

We tested seismic tomography to locate two buried qanat shafts in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, under the permit of the Erbil Plain Archaeological Survey (EPAS), a Harvard University project. Their approximate positions were first identified using historical satellite imagery from 1968. Our results enable us to correctly identify not only the location of the buried features but also the relative fill compactness. These results highlight the promise of low-cost, nondestructive seismic tomography for studying underground qanat systems, advancing our understanding of these ancient infrastructures. If validated further, this approach could be extended to other buried archaeological features—such as monuments, tombs, or drainage systems—offering a powerful new tool for archaeological research.