North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Barnes Site (5LA9187), CO;
Reference: De Vore, S. L. (2001). Report of the Geophysical Investigations at Site 5LA9187, Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Las Animas County, Colorado. Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service, Lincoln, Nebraska. Submitted to David Kuehn Consulting, El Paso, Texas.
On August 17, 2000, the Midwest Archeological Center conducted geophysical investigations of a portion of Site 5LA9187 at the U.S. Army's Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Las Animas County, Colorado. The project was conducted for the New Mexico State University archeological team inventorying Training Area 10 on the maneuver site. During the investigations, 800 square meters of the site adjacent to an upland drainage flowing into Lockwood Arroyo were surveyed with a Geoscan Research FM36 fluxgate gradiometer and a Geonics EM38 electromagnetic conductivity meter in the quadrature phase and in-phase modes of operation. The magnetic gradient data suggest an area of higher magnetic values near the break between the T2 and T3 terraces above the drainage. The conductivity data shows a decrease in conductivity as one moves away from the bank edge across the terraces. The magnetic susceptibility data indicated a relative high susceptibility anomaly at the break between the T1 and T2 terraces.
Although limited in areal coverage of the site, the geophysical methods utilized for this investigation have demonstrated their potential for revealing information about site formation processes. The project was conducted in advance of the placement of a backhoe trench in the site to identify stratigraphic sequences in the site formation processes. The data provided the geoarcheologist with information to assist in the placement of the backhoe trench. Thes geophysical investigations have indicated that such investigations can provide valuable information on site formation processes and cultural activities. Their application on future projects should be a major consideration in the planning process.