North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Aspen Site (Craters of the Moon National Monument), ID;
Reference: DeVore, S. L. (1996). Geophysical Training at Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho. Stewardship and Partnership Team, Rocky Mountain System Support Office, Intermountain Field Area, National Park Service. Prepared for Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho.
During the week of July 8-12, 1996, an electrical resistivity survey was conducted at the Aspen site during a geophysical training workshop conducted for the Idaho State University archeological field school at Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho. Two 40 by 40 meter grids were surveyed with a total of 6,400 measurements. In the northeast quadrant of the survey area, a two track road (Goodale Cutoff) is visible in the resistance data. In the northeast corner of the project area, the resistance is increasing and probably reflects the presence of volcanic materials closer to the surface. The rest of the northeastern quadrant lies in a small depression or basin which collects runoff and probably has more moisture in the soil matrix which is indicated by the presence of tall grasses in this low area of the project area. In the southwest quadrant, the resistance increases as one approaches the toe slope of the ridge. In the far southwest corner, there was an area covered with the tall grasses found in the northeast quadrant. Within the area, there was a small depression which retained more moisture than the surrounding slope. Along the southern portion of the east side of the southwest quadrant, there were two areas that had lower resistance values than the surrounding area. The southern one of these areas appeared to be a scraped area. In the north half of the southwest quadrant were two larger areas of high variable contrast in the resistance values collected during the survey.