North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Multi-diminsenial Remote Sensing: A SERDP Project Fusing Ground, Air, and Satellite Data (Army City Component);
References:
Ernenwein,
Eileen G. and Kenneth L. Kvamme (2002). Multi-dimensional Remote Sensing
at Army City Kansas: A SERDP Project Fusing Ground Air, and Satellite Data.
Paper Presented at the Plains Anthropological Conference, Oklahoma City
2002.
This research project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of a suite of non-invasive remote sensing methods combined with new analytical tools to allow recovery of detailed information about subsurface archaeological content. Such an approach can significantly reduce costs and the large investments of time and labor associated with traditional archaeological surveys and excavations. The project mixes high-resolution ground-based geophysical (magnetometry, resistivity, conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, ground penetrating radar), aerial (thermal, panchromatic, multi-spectral), and space-based (panchromatic, multi-spectral) sensor data. GIS-based data fusion methods that associate contextual with multiple-layer statistical patterns enhance results by enabling superior visualization of the complex, high-dimensional data sets. In order to assess capabilities under variable conditions a range of prehistoric and historic archaeological sites in a variety of environments from throughout the country will ultimately be examined. Remotely sensed data will be acquired at DoD installations at Fort Bliss (Texas), Fort Benning (Georgia, Alabama), and Fort Riley (Kansas), and at the DoE Savannah River Site (Georgia). Existing site data from two additional locations, Whistling Elk (South Dakota), and Mt. Comfort (Arkansas), will complement information obtained at these sites.
These results were obtained during the summer of 2002 at Army City, Kansas, a World War I commercial complex composed of many buildings and streets that was established to provide entertainment and other services to troops at Camp Funston (now part of Fort Riley). The town was created in 1917 and abandoned in 1921 after two blocks in the commercial district were burned. Most of the remaining buildings were dismantled or moved to nearby Ogden. Army City presently rests under a hay field with few surface indications of its presence.