NPS 2009 archaeolgical prospection workshop: Current Archaeological Prospection Advances for Non-Destructive Investigations in the 21st Century May 17, 2009

This workshop is designed to provide a practical application of geophysical
equipment and aerial photographic techniques available for the identification, evaluation, and
ultimately, the conservation and protection of cultural resources. The field exercises associated
with the course will concentrate on the application of these techniques to archeological
investigations. Instruction will be given in the use, processing, and interpretation of data from
magnetometers, conductivity meters, resistivity meters, ground penetrating radar, metal
detectors, and magnetic susceptibility instruments and their applications to non-destructive
subsurface investigations. The major emphasis of the training will be on the field use of the
equipment. Instruction will also be offered in the use of and interpretation of aerial photographic
techniques, and in the use of low altitude large scale aerial reconnaissance.
Geophysical techniques provide a means of non-destructive investigations for archeological
surveys. These techniques utilize physical principles to study the earth through indirect
interpretation of the earth's physical properties. Geophysicists interpret the Earth’s physical
characteristics using physical, electrical, and/or chemical measurements. Active geophysical
techniques are based on responses from an induced signal used to detect contracts in different
material properties. Such techniques include electromagnetics (EM), ground penetrating
radar (GPR), metal detectors, electrical resistivity, and seismic. Passive techniques are based
on responses from the natural conditions. These techniques include magnetics, gravity, and self
potential (SP). The course will provide an opportunity to learn about non-destructive
geophysical techniques for archeological investigations including advantages and disadvantages
of such techniques.

Official Website: http://www.nps.gov/history/mwac/pro_work/ARCH09TNG.pdf