North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Hopeton Works Enclosure (Hopewell Culture National Historical Park), OH;
Reference: DeVore, S. L. (2001). Magnetic Susceptibility Over West Wall of Hopeton Works Enclosure, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Ross County, Ohio. Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service, Lincoln, Nebraska. Submitted to Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Cillicothe, Ohio.
A magnetic susceptibility survey was conducted as part of the geophysical investigations of the west wall of the square Hopeton Works enclosure during the "Non-destructive Mound and Earthwork Research in the 21st Century" workshop at Hopewell Culture National Histroical Park, May 14-18, 2001. The magnetic susceptibility survey used a Bartington MS2 magnetic susceptibility system with an MS2D field survey probe. Survey results indicate an increase in the magnetic susceptibility values as one ascends the western slope of the earthworks until one approaches the top of the earthworks. Over the top of the earthworks on the east side, the magnetic susceptibility decreases until reaching a point approximately 2/3 the way down the slope. There the susceptibility increases and then drops as one crosses the toe slope of the enclosure wall. On the inside of the wall where the elevation is fairly level, the magnetic susceptibility values level off as well. There is a slight rise in susceptibility values near the 55-meter east point of the line. The magnetic susceptibility data appears to have some correlation with the earthwork construction and erosional episodes.