Jamie-

I seriously doubt that a metal detector would be useful in delineating
historic graves. Most grave shafts are simply too deep for the metal
detectors I have seen. I have used systematic probing for a number of years
with good success. That technique employs a tile probe with a replaceable
case hardened steel tip, and requires probing every six inches or so along
transects placed about 3 feet apart. I orient transects north-south as the
overwhelming majority of historic graves are oriented east-west. Each soft
spot is then carefully probed, and normally it is possible to detect the
edges of each grave so they can be marked. I place spikes in all four
corners of each grave, and then map in each pit. This method requires some
judgement, as you have to be careful to distinguish between graves and
other types of anomalies. Graves are straight sided and normally contain
ledges about 3 plus or minus feet down where the coffin chamber begins.

I have used this technique to delineate close to 100 cemeteries. Probing is
not effective in poorly consolidated sand, extremely rocky soils, or in
very dry soils with high clay content.

Pat Garrow

Original Message:
-----------------
From: Jamie Brandon [log in to unmask]
Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 11:44:00 -0500
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Locating Historic Graves


Greetings all:

I am currently looking for references (including mentions in State Plans,
Laws, gray literature, methodological papers, etc.) on the use of metal
detectors in finding the locations of historic grave sites. . . Or more to
the point, are there statements out there in the literature to the effect
that metal detectors may not be (putting it diplomatically) "the best way to
go about" delineating a historic-period grave (I mean, 5-6 ft down?!?). . .
.

My concern is that given the expense & expertise needed for
geophysical/remote sensing equipment and or site-stripping, some
practitioners may attempt to claim that a simple, hand-held metal detector
can do the job of finding the number & locations of graves in an unmarked
cemetery. . . have other folks dealt with this?

jamie brandon
---
I am [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask],
[log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]

     Jamie C. Brandon
     University of Texas at Austin
     Department of Anthropology &
     The Américo Paredes Center for Cultural Studies





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