North American Database of Archaeological Geophysics

Abstract/Summary:

Project Name: Merritt Cemetery, Barboursville, West Virginia;

Reference: Johnson, W.J., D.W. Johnson, G. Gozdzik (2001). Geophysics Comes of Age in North American Archeology. Paper Presented at Society of American Archaeology, 66th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 18-22, 2001.

During October of 1999, crews from Horizon Research Consultants (HRC) began investigating a historic cemetery located during new road construction near Barboursville, West Virginia. The cemetery was the burial ground for the Merritt family, prominent settlers that had came to the area in the early 1800s. The graveyard was estimated to contain around 25 graves including a Revolutionary War veteran named Malchor Strupe. Once crews cleared the area of brush, an additional 15 buried headstone bases, a number of stone fragments, and a fence surrounding the known graves, that had been built 10 years previously.

It was decided to use geophysical methods in an attempt to identify unmarked graves. First, EM (electromagnetic) and resistivity surveys were conducted to identify graves by subsurface electrical properties. Finally, magnetic gradiometry and GPR (ground penetrating radar) instruments were used to identify graves by disturbances in soil horizons and reflections from any remaining coffins. GPR proved to be the most effective of the geophysical methods in recording unmarked graves. The geophysical survey was followed by test excavations that confirmed specific anomalies as graves and others as metal refuse that was scattered about the site. The use of geophysical instruments to record unmarked graves can be successfully accomplished, but requires careful interpretation and skill.

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