Ben,
Talk to the folks at http://www.k9forensic.org/.  You might recall a demo they did at the SHA in Sacramento a few years ago.  I have tried using cadaver dogs without success, even with relatively recent skeletal and highly decomposed remains.  My understanding is that the dogs must be cross-trained to recognize the scent of decomposed remains as opposed to recent cadavers.  The K9 Forensic folks should be able to help.  Alternatively, I've had moderate success just using a soil probe to locate clandestine graves.

Dave

Dave McMahan
State Archaeologist, Deputy SHPO
Alaska Office of History and Archaeology
550 W. 7th Ave., Suite 1310
Anchorage, AK 99501
Voice: (907)269-8723
Fax: (907)269-8908



-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY on behalf of Benjamin Carter
Sent: Wed 12/1/2010 9:55 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Relocating late 19th century cemetery
 

  All,

I was recently contacted by a local historian who has an interesting 
problem. I don't have a lot of time, but thought I would throw this 
problem out there and see if any of you have thoughts on quick and easy 
ways to deal with this issue.

The story:
A local iron works was built in the mid to late 19th century. Along with 
the factory the company built dorms and a church. The church still 
exists, but there is no cemetery officially associated with it. Indeed, 
many of the factory workers who attended the church (and whose funerals 
were held at the church) can be located via head stones in other 
cemeteries in the area. However, just behind the church are five 
depressions that are roughly the right size for a grave. The local 
historical society can demonstrate that there were also five individuals 
in the church records who are not accounted for in other cemeteries. 
These tend to be children and itinerant laborers with little apparent 
connection to the area. It sounds quite plausible to me, but I have NO 
experience with late 19th century cemeteries.

My question: Aside from GPR, excavation,  or other time intensive and 
expensive methods, is there a quick way to assess whether or not there 
are human remains in these depressions?

Cheers,
Ben

-- 
Ben Carter, Ph.D., RPA
Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Sociology and Anthropology Department
Muhlenberg College
2400 Chew Street
Allentown PA, 18104
Phone: 484-664-3961 Fax: 484-664-3718
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