North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Jacob Dobmeier Brewery, ND;
Reference: http://www.archaeophysics.com/central/index.html (used with permission).
An electrical resistance survey was performed in Central Park, Grand Forks, North Dakota. The purpose of the survey was to locate and assess the integrity of archaeological features in an area that may be impacted by a proposed flood control project.
Because of the very uniform geologic background within the survey area, even very subtle, low contrast cultural features appeared strikingly in the geophysical data. The survey was successful in identifying a number of cultural features of historic origin, some of which may be associated with a 19th Century brewery complex. Building foundations, utility lines, and a city street were apparent in the resistance data. Although the sources of these anomalies are shallowly buried (less than 1 meter in depth) and evidently retain some some integrity, they are not expressed on the surface.
The survey also identified several resistance anomalies which may be of Native American origin. Subsurface testing of these anomalies has not yet been performed, but other investigations suggest that there may have been a Native American occupation in the vicinity.