Greg

Have you found out how many burials you have without digging anything up.

I have researched a couple of pioneer graveyards with success here using a
combination of aerial photographic analysis, physical survey and metal
detector survey (for evidence of metal spikes associated with head and foot
places, metal surrounds and nails from wooden ones - none of which you may
have in your case). This sort of work gives you a good idea of the layout of
the cemetery and of course the location of all those unmarked graves.

I have also used ground penerating radar on a couple. It worked really well
in the one that had not been cut and filled to create tennis courts.
Suggested we had some shafts stacked two or three deep. Would any of that
information help you or do you already know that stuff.

Gaye
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tonia Deetz" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, 30 January 2004 5:27 AM
Subject: Re: archaeology in historic burial grounds


> Greg,
>
> If I can address some of your questions, with the statement first that the
> excavation of human remains in the US is a highly debated topic.
>
> I have worked on some important historic burial projects and I believe
that
> if you are truly justified ethically, research wise and legally in the
> examination of human remains that you should pursue that to its fullest
extent from
> the start.
>
> By simply opening up the burials you are changing the environment in which
> they exist and most likely accelerating the natural destruction of the
remains
> and any data in them. To take a look without gaining critical and sensitve
> information, you risk loosing anything you may want to explore later,
therefore
> negating your purpose for the excavation.
>
> I would also say that to conserve the bones without removal is
questionable,
> as the process of conservation eliminates the elements from many
diagnostic
> tests you may need for your research. We usually have certain bones left
> untreated to keep them more viable for certain tests.  Stabilizing bones
for future
> excavation is not really practical.
>
> If you have a good solid reason for the project, do it all in one series
of
> steps, not a little now and then something else later.
>
> Anyway, that is my opinion on the matter, hope that helps.
>
> Tonia Deetz Rock