North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Bogan Site (14GE1), KS;
Reference: De Vore, S. L., and R. K. Nickel (2001). Interim Report of the Geophysical Investigations at the Bogan Site (14GE1), Geary County, Kansas. Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service, Lincoln, Nebraska. Submitted to Kansas City District, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
During the week of July 23 to 27, 2001, the Midwest Archeological Center conducted geophysical investigations at the Bogan Site (14GE1) at Lake Milford, Kansas. The project was conducted for the Kansas City District Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During the investigations, 4,240 square meters were surveyed with a Geoscan Research FM36 fluxgate gradiometer and with a Sensors and Software Noggin 250 smart cart ground-penetrating radar system. An additional 800 square meters were covered with a Geoscan Research RM15 resistance meter and PA5 multiprobe array. While the house depressions and mounds, as well as the fortification berm were visible due to their topographic relief, numerous details about the subsurface features were not discernable without the use of the geophysical equipment or without more traditional archeological excavations. The geophysical investigations of the area took approximately 12 man-days. Traditional archeological excavation of this area would have taken several months.
The magnetic and GPR data collected at the site identified the three houses and fortification, as well as other smaller features associated with the houses and with the village site. The limited resistance survey also provided data on House 2. Overall, the site is well suited for geophysical investigations; however, the encroachment of the trees and other woody vegetation on the site did have a limited impact on the geophysical data, especially the GPR data. Tree roots tend to reflect the GPR signal and provide additional noise in the data sets. Care must be taken when analyzing the GPR data in areas where the trees have been cut because of the remaining subsurface root system. Roots can also affect the resitance data.