North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Bent Canyon Stage Stop (5LA3179), CO;
Reference: DeVore, S.L. (2001). Resistivity Survey of a Proposed Privy Area at Bent Canyon Stage Stop (5LA3179), Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Las Animas County, Colorado. Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service, Lincoln, Nebraska. Submitted to Minnette Church, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
A resistivity survey was conducted as part of a training exercise with the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS) field school under the direction of Minnette Church. The area was selected for the resistivity profile because Feature 3, a rock pile of local stone, was believed to be a privy associated with the foundation of a house located a few meters to the east on the same landform at the Bent Canyon stage stop (5LA3179). The resistivity survey used a Wenner probe array with the probes set at 1-meter intervals. The value displayed on the Geohm 40D was recorded by hand. These resistance values were placed in a spreadsheet and the resulting apparent resistivity was calculated. The data was then placed in Surfer for Windows mapping program and a shade map was generated. In addition to the shade map, a contour map was also generated.
Survey results indicate an area of relatively lower resistivity at N2.5/E4. This location could possibly represent the location of a privy hole; however, it is also possible that it is caused by geological irregularities in the underlying bedrock. Without excavations in this location, it is not possible to give a definitive identification of the cause of the anomalous low apparent resistivity reading. Several relatively high resistivity readings to the north of this low may indicate the close proximity of bedrock to the surface.