Magnetic prospecting is primarily designed to detect what?

Magnetic prospecting is a geophysical method primarily focused on detecting variations in the Earth's magnetic field that can indicate the presence of buried archaeological features. When materials such as iron or certain types of soil or sediment are disturbed or altered, they can create magnetic anomalies that are distinct from their surrounding environment. These disturbances result from both human-made structures and natural geological formations.

By measuring these magnetic anomalies, archaeologists can infer the likely presence of buried objects or structures, such as walls, ditches, or hearths, which may not be visible at the surface. This technique is particularly useful because it allows researchers to map out sites and uncover potential areas of interest without invasive digging. The other choices, while they may be relevant to different areas of study, do not encapsulate the primary purpose of magnetic prospecting in archaeology.