The detection of forensic and archaeological burials using geophysics and soil analysis
Graveyards and cemeteries around the world are increasingly being designated as full. There is growing requirements to identify burial space or to exhume and re-inter if necessary. Near-surface geophysical methods offer a potentially non-invasive target detection solution, with additional soil sampling analysis to provide ground truth information; however there has been lack of research to identify optimal detection methods. This study has collected multi-frequency (225 MHz â 900 MHz) ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity, electromagnetic induction and magnetic susceptibility surface data over different burial scenarios (ancient, old and modern burials). Surveying ancient burial sites revealed they can be geophysically detectable even after 650+ years of burial, given optimum local soil type and depositional environment conditions. Surveying old and modern burials indicate that progressively older burials are more difficult to detect but complicated by local soil type. Different geophysical techniques were optimal in different sites, which therefore suggests a multi-technique approach should be utilised by survey practitioners. Graveyard geophysical targets included the grave soil above graves
Dick, Henry C.
G Geography (General)
The detection of forensic and archaeological burials using geophysics and soil analysis. Graveyards and cemeteries around the world are increasingly being designated as full. There is growing requirements to identify burial space or to exhume and re-inter if necessary. Near-surface geophysical methods offer a potentially non-invasive target detection solution, with additional soil sampling analysis to provide ground truth information; however there has been lack of research to identify optimal detection methods. This study has collected multi-frequency (225 MHz â 900 MHz) ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity, electromagnetic induction and magnetic susceptibility surface data over different burial scenarios (ancient, old and modern burials). Surveying ancient burial sites revealed they can be geophysically detectable even after 650+ years of burial, given optimum local soil type and depositional environment conditions. Surveying old and modern burials indicate that progressively older burials are more difficult to detect but complicated by local soil type. Different geophysical techniques were optimal in different sites, which therefore suggests a multi-technique approach should be utilised by survey practitioners. Graveyard geophysical targets included the grave soil above graves
detection forensic archaeological burial use geophysics soil analysis cemetery around_world increasingly designate full grow requirement identify burial space inter necessary near surface geophysical method offer potentially non invasive target detection solution additional soil sample analysis provide ground truth information however lack identify optimal detection method study collect multi frequency ground_penetrate radar electrical electromagnetic induction magnetic_susceptibility surface data different_burial scenario ancient old modern burial surveying ancient burial_site reveal detectable even year burial give optimum local soil type depositional environment condition surveying old modern burial indicate progressively old burial difficult detect complicate local soil type different geophysical technique optimal different_site therefore_suggest multi technique utilised survey practitioner geophysical target include grave soil graf