North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Geomagnetic
Investigations at Leetown Battlefield in Pea Ridge National Military Park, Arkansas.
Reference: Kvamme, K.L. (2002). Geomagnetic Investigations at Leetown Battlefield in Pea Ridge National Military Park, Arkansas. Report by Archeo-Imaging Lab, Department of Anthropology, University of Arkansas, submitted to Pea Ridge National Military Park, Pea Ridge, Arkansas.
A geomagnetic survey of a
20 x 200 m region was carried out in the Leetown Battlefield, Pea Ridge National
Military Park, Arkansas, in March, 2002. This work was performed by the Archeo-Imaging
Lab, Department of Anthropology, University of Arkansas, with students from
that institution. Because magnetometers are extremely sensitive to ferrous metal
artifacts they may be suitable in archaeological battlefield surveys as a means
to locate and map artifacts of potential historical interest. Most projectiles
fired by Civil War cannon were of iron, as were many artifacts used by the troops.
Analysis of the magnetic data reveals a series of "point" anomalies
that can be interpreted as being generated by iron artifacts, as well as other
anomalies probably resulting from the prairie mound phenomenon, possible fire
hearths, and past soil disturbances that could represent the loci of former
animal dens or even field graves. It is argued that battlefield artifact distributions
should illustrate significant spatial pattern and, indeed, the point anomalies
do occur in three distinct clusters that could represent three battle lines,
but such an inference is premature given the limited area surveyed and lack
of other supporting evidence. Comparisons of the magnetometry data against a
limited set of metal detector finds indicates that only 19-37 percent of the
artifacts in the survey area may stem from the Civil War, and that post-battle
artifacts can also illustrate significant spatial patterns.