North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Fort Eustis
Reference: Ground Penetrating Radar Survey and Interpretation Ft. Eustis, Virginia October 30, 2002, MS on file.
A ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was successfully conducted at three cemeteries and an anamolous depression in the vicinity of the Fort Eustis golf course during the period of 9 and 10 October 2001. Although it is not possible to precisely identify, classify or explain GPR anomalies without ground truthing, a general rule for establishing test excavation priority is to target the red areas depicted on the velocity slices from 5 to 20 nS. At Curtis cemetery (44NN190) there are eight red areas depicted from 5 to 20 nS. This approximate depth is consistent with customary internment practices as well as the depth of the Humphry Harwood grave vault. Anomalies consistent with the pattern of the Curtis vault are also recommended for testing. The unknown cemetery (44NN190.2) has 4 red areas depicted in velocity slices at 5-20nS. Single point anomalies in the vicinity of the grave stone (lines 16,17 and 18 marks 8 to 11) should also be considered testing priorities. Velocity slices for the Crafford cemetery (44NN 189) could not be drawn because the 2 m. sample interval is not appropriate for this horizontal depiction of GPR data. Strong anomalies, especially those associated with surface depressions should be tested. Anomalies associated with tree trunks and probable roots might be considered lower priorities, although it is not possible without ground truthing to confidently discriminate tree roots from some subsurface cultural phenomena. As a precaution, a sample of the suspected tree roots should be tested at all sites. One anomaly is recommended for testing in the depression area adjacent to the unknown cemetery