Kirtland Air Force Base: Geophysical Studies

Author(s): James T. Abbott; R. Blake Roxlau; William B. Butler; Howard C. Higgins; Timothy M. Deignan

Year: 1997

Summary

This report evaluates the applicability of several near-surface geophysical methods to intrasite archaeological prospection in New Mexico. The Investigations explored the effectiveness of resistivity, gradiometer, magnetometer, ground penetrating radar, and magnetic susceptibility techniques for verifying the presence and nature of architectural and other cultural features at Kirtland Air Force Base. The research involved the application of these techniques to five sites (LA 107488, LA 53672, LA 84429, LA 89364, and LA 108027). The results of the investigation were mixed with no one technique having a clear edge over the others. Excavations targeting specific anomalies yielded a 82% success rate. Based on the results, the study examined the cost effectiveness and the strengths and weaknesses of each technique by assessing its usefulness for detecting different types of sites and features.

Includes "Ground Penetrating Radar for Archaeology: Investigation at Kirtland Air Force Base - Draft Report" by Timothy M. Deignan (1995).

Cite this Record

Kirtland Air Force Base: Geophysical Studies. James T. Abbott, R. Blake Roxlau, William B. Butler, Howard C. Higgins, Timothy M. Deignan. 1997 ( tDAR id: 468978) ; doi:10.48512/XCV8468978

Keywords

Culture
Anasazi • Ancestral Puebloan • Archaic • Cloudblower • Cloud Blower • Historic • Middle Archaic

Material
Black Quartzite • Ceramic • Chipped Stone • Fauna • Mudstone • Pedemal chert • Pollen • Socorro Black-on-white • Tijeras Black-on-gray • Tijeras utilityware • White Mountain Redware • Whiteware

Site Name
LA 107488 • LA 108027 • LA 53672 • LA 84429 • LA 89364

Site Type
Adobe Pueblo • Artifact Scatter • Cobble Pueblo • Mine • Mine-Related Structures • Mine Tunnels • Pit House / Earth Lodge • Rock Alignment • Room Block / Compound / Pueblo

Investigation Types
Geophysical Survey

General
Gradiometer • Ground Penetrating Radar • Ground Truthing • Magnetic Susceptibility • Magnetometer • Resistivity

Geographic Keywords
Albuquerque, New Mexico • Bernalillo (County) • Kirtland Air Force Base

Temporal Keywords
Coalition period • Historic • Late Developmental period • Prehistoric

Spatial Coverage

min long: -107.15; min lat: 34.211 ; max long: -105.26; max lat: 35.15 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Kirtland Air Force Base CRM Manager

Record Identifiers

NPS Contract No.(s): CX1443-1200-92-010

TRC Mariah Project No.(s): 01784

File Information

  Name Size Creation Date Date Uploaded Access
CR-0002.pdf 10.98mb Jul 1, 2022 10:59:12 AM Confidential

Accessing Restricted Files

At least one of the files for this resource is restricted from public view. For more information regarding access to these files, please reference the contact information below

Contact(s): Kirtland Air Force Base CRM Manager