North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Kane Cemetery (48BH3104), WY;
Reference: DeVore, Steven L. (2002). Geophysical Investigations at the Kane Cemetery (48BH3104), Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Wyoming, Midwest Archeological Center, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Over the decades since the abandonment of the rural community of Kane, Wyoming, grave markers in the old Kane Cemetery have been lost. Geophysical exploration can sometimes locate the unmarked interments. Three survey techniques that might be best suited for this search are magnetic gradient, ground conductivity, and ground-penetraing radar. A magnetic gradient survey may detect buried iron associated with the burial or with the coffin furniture, as well as disturbed soil in the grave. A ground conductivity survey should detect the disturbed soil of the grave. A ground-penetrating radar survey has the capability to identify the depth and shape of the burial shaft, and possibly buried objects. While these surveys have their limitations, they can provide the most efficient application of time and labor without the cost of the full-scale excavations. The overall success of such surveys for the identification of graves have varied widely from excellent to poor; however, they are capable of defining boundaries of disturbed soil associated graves.
In May 2000, a team working for the Midwest Archeological Center and the Bighorn National Recreation Area conducted a geophysical investigation of the Kane Cemetery, 48BH3104, in Bighorn County, Wyoming. A surface area of 5,180 square meters was examined with a conductivity meter, while a slightly smaller area (62 percent of the survey area) was examined with ground-penetrating radar. The data from the conductivity survey indicated the location of several graves; however the results were the metal grave markers rather than the disturbed soils associated with the graves. The ground-penetrating radar survey was more successful in the identification of the actual grave locations. In addition to these two geophysical survey methods, a resistivity sounding was conducted along with a review of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service's 1938 and United States Geological Survey's 1994 aerial photographs. The geophysical investigations of the cemetery indicated the presence of graves at the marked grave locations, as well as a lack of graves in the unmarked portions of the cemetery.