North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics
Abstract/Summary:
Project Name: Corvallis Historic Water Front Site, OR;
Reference: Rogers, M. (2001). Cesium Magnetometer Survey of the Corvallis Historic Water Front, Oregon State University's 2001 Archaeological Field School Site, Corvallis, Oregon, USA. Submitted to Barbara Roth, Archaeological Field School Director, Department of Anthropology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. View report in pdf format.
An ultra-high resolution cesium magnetometer survey was conducted in support of Oregon State University's 2001 Archaeological Field School, directed by Professor Barbara Roth. This survey intends to identify the horizontal spatial location of sub-surface features that field school students can investigate through excavation to determine if such features are associated with historic Corvallis. This survey also explores the ability of an ultra-high resolution cesium magnetometer, configured in vertical gradient mode, to obtain meaningful data in an area containing numerous metal fences, metal buildings, automobiles, and power lines that may severely contaminate the survey region.
The magnetometer survey recorded several magnetic anomalies in spite of the numerous metal fences, metal buildings, automobiles, and power lines. This indicates that magnetometer surveys, in vertical gradient mode can be productive in an urban environment that contains numerous sources of magnetic contamination. The survey also identified several magnetic anomalies that may be associated with historic features.