North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Gunzenhauser Site (13DT110), IA;
Reference: De Vore, S. L. (1999). Magnetic Gradient and Resistance Surveys at 13DT110 (Gunzenhauser Site), Decatur County, Iowa. Cultural Resources and National Register Program Services, Intermountain Support Office, Santa Fe, National Park Service, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Prepared for Long Distance Trails Office, National Park Service, Salt Lake City, Utah.
During the week of November 15-19, 1999, the National Park Service's Long Distance Trails Office (Salt Lake City, Utah) funded geophysical investigations at a Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail site in Decatur County, Iowa. The Gunzenhauser site, 13DT110, was a temporary Mormon settlement between 1846 and 1852. Previous archeological investigations by the National Park Service had produced artifacts dating to the Mormon habitation of the Garden Grove settlement. The present study incorporated the use of a resistivity sounding, a resistance survey, and a magnetic gradient survey of a 60-meter (north-south) by 80-meter (east-west) block in the center of 13DT110. Although the results of the resistivity sounding indicated that the soils had a relatively low resistivity, which would hinder the use of ground penetrating radar on the site, the resistance and magnetic gradient surveys provided data on the location of the settlement and its physical extent within the survey area. Recommendations indicated that additional geophysical investigations in the unexplored portion of the site would provide additional information on the nature of the site. These should also be combined with archeological excavations to further identify and assess the nature of the site.