Аннотация:Abstract Geophysical techniques are clearly beneficial for archaeology, but limits exist. A good knowledge of these limitations is important in order to estimate precisely the reliability of these remote sensing techniques. The Canal Seine‐Nord Europe project provides a good opportunity to compare geophysical results with those from trial trenching with a mechanical digger. In 2009, magnetic and resistivity surveys were undertaken over a surface of approximately 60 ha, independently of archaeological evaluation by trial trenching. Thirteen archaeological sites, mainly constituted in pits, post‐holes and ditches, were discovered in this area. Twelve of them were detected by trial trenching and only three by geophysical survey. This case study based on archaeological feedback shows that geophysics has to be used with caution for evaluation of this type of archaeological and pedological context (luvisols on decarbonated loess) very common for the north of France.
