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