Geophysical Archeological Survey at Poverty Point State Historic Site (16WC5) West Carroll Parish, Louisiana

摘要

A near-surface geophysical survey was conducted at three locations portions of Mound E, West Sector, and Southwest Sector at the Poverty Point site (16WC5), Louisiana, during 21-22 June 2001. Technologies employed included: magnetic field gradiometry, electrical resistivity, electro-magnetic in-phase/conductivity and ground penetrating radar. The gradiometer and resistivity results clearly indicate that these two geophysical approaches have the potential to greatly enhance research strategies and guide data recovery efforts within specific locations at the site. Problems in the manner in which certain resistivity datasets were collected and/or processed prevent their use in interpretations for all areas surveyed. The conductivity results generally reflect the topography of the surface expression of the site but did not yield the detailed data that were anticipated. Additional resistivity and conductivity surveys are needed to address the user/equipment problems encountered in this study. The ground penetrating radar results were inconclusive due to the high proportion of clay particles in the loess sediments and it is recommended that this technology not be applied to the site until further refinements are made to this technology to address the unique site-specific conditions.