Geophysical Survey
Geophysical survey, also referered to as geophysics or geophyz, harnesses state-of-the-art data collection techniques, including magnetometry, earth conductivity, electrical resistivity, and ground penetrating radar (GPR) to locate and evaluate archaeological sites. CRA has pioneered the integration of these techniques with fieldwork to reduce costs and improve the quality of cultural resource evaluations. Principals in the firm have extensive survey experience throughout the United States working for public agencies and private consultants.
Techniques and Applications
Techniques
- Magnetrometry, or magnetic gradient survey, utilizing duplexed Geoscan FM256 gradiometers
- Conductivity, or Electromagnetic (EM), survey using a Geonics EM38
- Ground penetrating radar (GPR) by means of a Geophysical Survey Systems Incorporated SIR-3000 radar system equipped with a 400 MHz center frequency antenna and survey cart
- Electrical resistivity with a TR Systems, Ltd., TR/CIA twin-probe resistivity meter
Applications
- Archaeological site survey
- Cemeteries
- Underground storage tanks
- Pipes
- Buried concrete and building foundations
- Roads (testing for sinkholes)
Geophysics Project Examples
- Conductivity and Magnetometer Surveys of Daniel Boone's Station
- Conductivity and Magnetometer Surveys of the Carty Site (33Pl646), Near Columbus, Ohio
- Conductivity and Magnetometer Surveys of the Hollywood Site, Tunica County, Mississippi
- Geophysical Survey of Cahokia Mounds, near St. Louis, Missouri
- Geophysical Survey of Fort George Cemetery in the Toonerville neighborhood of Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky
- Geophysical Survey of the Prehistoric Component at Site 15Ma306 in Madison County, Kentucky
- Geophysical Survey of the Proposed Kingsolver-Pierce Elementary School in Hardin County, Kentucky
- Geophysical Survey and Test Unit Excavation of Sites 15Ct86, 15Ct88, 15Ct105 and 15Ct110 in Clinton County, Kentucky
- Geophysical Surveys (Resistivity and Gradiometry) of the “Hopewell Road” Alignment in Licking County, Ohio
- Geophysical Survey of Site 46CB042 Near Lesage, West Virginia
- Geophysical Survey of Site 46CH14 in Calhoun County, West Virginia
- Geophysical Survey of Site 46MR155 in Marshall County, West Virginia
- Geophysical Survey of Two Historic Cemeteries Near the Community of Washington in Wood County, West Virginia
- Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of Bevis-Cedar Grove Cemetery in Hamilton County, Ohio
- Ground Penetrating Radar Survey at Cave Hill Place
- Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of Dinsmore House Cemetery
- Ground Penetrating Radar Survey at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Walla Walla, Washington
- Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of the Old Episcopal Burial Ground in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
- Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of Site 15Jf766 in Jefferson County, Kentucky
- Ground Penetrating Radar and Magnetic Gradiometer Surveys of Manda Town, Manda Island, Kenya
- Magnetometer Survey of McConnell's Station
- Magnetometer Survey of the Widow Gibson Cabin
