North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Iliniwek Village State Historic Site, MO (2);
Reference: http://www.archaeophysics.com/iliniwek/index.html (used with permission).
Large area electrical resistance and magnetic survey are increasingly being used as an effective research and cultural resource management tool. These survey techniques are a rapid means by which to map the subsurface features of a site. However, the inherent ambiguity of geophysical data often makes definitive interpretation difficult or impossible. This is especially true when applied to small, low contrast targets typical of prehistoric North American archaeological sites. Ground penetrating radar can further investigate subsurface features initially identified by electrical resistance or magnetic survey methods. The use of GPR in this capacity could facilitate prioritization of resistance and magnetic anomalies, increasing the success rate and efficiency of ground truthing operations.
An electrical resistance survey conducted by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the University of Illinois 1998 Archaeological Expedition had identified a large number of anomalies of possible cultural origin. Archaeo-Physics conducted a ground penetrating radar (GPR) investigation over portions of the Iliniwek Village site in Northeastern Missouri over the period of 17-18 July, 1998. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the use of the GPR in providing further evidence of intact cultural features.
A 20 meter long GPR transect of data was collected over this resistivity anomaly, moving from North to South. The resistivity anomaly was passed over at 5 meters along the transect. The radar plot shows the GPR response over this anomaly. Subsequent excavation confirmed the presence of a intact pit feature at this location.