North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics

Abstract/Summary:

Project Name: 42BO681, UT;

Reference: De Vore, S.L. (1999). Field Report for Magnetic Field-Gradient Survey of Prehistoric Sites on the Utah Test and Training Ranges, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Cultural Resources and National Register Program Services, Intermountain Support Office, Intermountain Region, National Park Service, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Prepared for U.S. Air Force, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

Between October 12 and 15, magnetic field-gradient surveys were conducted at three sites (42TO1009, 42BO681, and 42BO683) on the U.S. Air Force's Utah Test and Training Ranges. In addition, a conductivity survey was conducted at Site 42BO683. Archeologists from the National Park Service and the University of Utah's Department of Anthropology and the GIS specialist from Hill Air Force Base participated in the magnetic field-gradient survey. The magnetic field-gradient survey with a Geoscan Research FM36 fluxgate gradiometer was performed at the 0.1 nT level of sensitivity in order to detect the potential of buried hearth and fire pit features on the site. One site (42TO1009) was located on the South Unit and two sites (42BO681 and 42BO683) are located within the Craners Complex on the North Unit. The survey utilized the magnetic field-gradient survey methodology employed by Dr. Lewis Somers (1994) in his investigation of archeological sites located in a sand dune setting in southwestern Wyoming. As a result of the application of Somers' methodology, potential locations at the 99% confidence level were identified in the magnetic data sets from the three sites. Archeological excavations are needed to investigate the magnetic anomalies in the magnetic survey data. At Site 42BO683, the conductivity survey of the site indicated that the soils/sediments forming the cave floor had an extremely low conductivity, whcih may be due to lack of moisture in the cave as well as the material comprising the floor soil/sediments.

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