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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