Large-Area Remote Sensing Coverage of Archaeological Sites with a Dual-Track Cart-Mounted Cesium Magnetometer

This paper describes the benefits of collecting total field magnetic data at archaeological sites with a mobile cart holding two cesium magnetometer sensors and a separate stationary base station magnetometer to correct for global-scale magnetic fluctuations. To date, the Texas Historical Commission...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of field archaeology 2007-01, Vol.32 (2), p.133-148
Main Authors: Bruseth, James E., Pierson, William T., Johnson, Ross M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Archaeological sites
Archaeological surveys
Cesium
Excavations
Field archaeology
Forts
Magnetic surveys
Magnetometers
Sensors
Special Studies
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Summary:This paper describes the benefits of collecting total field magnetic data at archaeological sites with a mobile cart holding two cesium magnetometer sensors and a separate stationary base station magnetometer to correct for global-scale magnetic fluctuations. To date, the Texas Historical Commission has surveyed 40 sites from various time periods and geographical settings in Texas. The cart has allowed rapid surveys over large areas while minimizing signal-degrading noise. Four examples from Texas show that large-area and high-density magnetic surveys can be completed in relatively short periods of time producing maps that aid significantly in archaeological site interpretation. In some instances, no field excavation was required to understand quickly what the magnetic patterns represented in terms of buried archaeological features. In all cases, the magnetometer maps provided important information to help guide future field excavations.
ISSN:0093-4690
2042-4582
DOI:10.1179/009346907791071674