Post on 29-Jan-2016
transcript
Field investigations of abandoned Negro cemeteries Field investigations of abandoned Negro cemeteries using GPRusing GPR
presented bypresented byAlison HenningAlison HenningRice UniversityRice University
March 9, 2007March 9, 2007
Field Work Without Rocks!Field Work Without Rocks!
• Not much field work in Houston unless you are a sedimentologist – or a geophysicist!
• Perform geophysical field work (mainly GPR, magnetometer) in abandoned cemeteries
• Ties in to Houston history, archeology, land development, service learning
Abandoned CemeteriesAbandoned Cemeteries
• Local geological society was volunteering at this cemetery
• We discussed possibility of using GPR to document unmarked graves
• Brought students out during the summer for GPR
• Undergrads in GIS class returned several times to acquire GPS data
It’s All About GeophysicsIt’s All About Geophysics
• Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to image subsurface
• Global positioning system (GPS) to locate GPR profiles and other features
• Geographic information system (GIS) to organize and interpret data collected
ESCI 515: Geophysical Field Work for EducatorsESCI 515: Geophysical Field Work for Educators
• Process of science • Teachers solve the problem -
use common sense!• Acquire data over known targets
and compare to data from field• Tie in to national and state
standards• Follow up with academic year
course in Earth Science
Line 019 - 7/19/2007
1963 1974 1985 Double Burial
2001 2006
Modern Cemetery
1963 1974 1985 Double Burial
2001 2006
7/19/2007
Anomaly - No Marker
Modern Cemetery
Line 019 - 7/19/2007
1963 1974 1985 Double Burial
2001 2006
Comparison of Modern Cemetery and Field Site
~2 ft8 ft
Anomaly at ~2 ft depth was excavated – found metal surface, sounds hollow when tapped
Break in soil horizon at ~4 ft – grave shaft
Note the change in soil color at red arrow – lighter soil to left contains clay that was excavated by digging, darker soil is undisturbed
GISGIS
1930
1956
2006
Understanding GeophysicsUnderstanding Geophysics
Correlates with anomaly found on line 1
Correlates with anomaly foundon line 16
Understanding ArcheologyUnderstanding Archeology
ConclusionsConclusions
• Utilize geophysics, GPS and GIS to perform field work anywhere
• Investigating abandoned cemeteries is helpful to the community and participants are highly motivated
• Want to expand service learning component, involve more undergraduates and K-12 students