Geophysical Investigations of a Historic Sac and Fox Multiple Family Cemetery (25RH122), Richardson County, Nebraska

Summary

The geophysical investigations of a tribal/multiple family cemetery (25RH122) in Richardson County, Nebraska, were initiated by the National Park Service in response to a request from the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri tribal council. A meeting and site tour were held with the tribal council secretary, Midwest Archeological Center Archeological Assistance and Partnership Program archeologists, and private consultant on November 18, 2002. This visit was to assess the feasibility of the application of geophysical techniques to the identification and evaluation of the tribal/multiple family cemetery. During the month of November 2003, MWAC archeologist and Site Sensors private consultant conducted geophysical investigations at the cemetery (25RH122). Geophysical investigations, including magnetic gradient, conductivity, and ground-penetrating radar surveys, were conducted at the cemetery location identified by the Sac and Fox Nation tribal council secretary. A two day workshop was also held in conjunction with the cemetery investigations.

During the investigations, 1,520 square meters were surveyed with a Geoscan Research FM36 fluxgate gradiometer, the Geonics EM38 ground conductivity meter, and a Sensors and Software NogginsPlus smart cart ground-penetrating radar system and 250 mHz antenna. The survey resulted in the identification of subsurface magnetic gradient anomalies, conductivity anomalies and ground penetrating radar anomalies. A series of anomalies identified in the three complementary data sets in the west central part of the geophysical grid suggested the location of graves associated with the cemetery. Other anomalies represented fence lines and more recent agricultural related metal objects.

This report provides an analysis of the geophysical data collected during four days at the site. Since 25RH122 represents a known historic cemetery, it is not recommended that any additional archeological investigations in the form of excavations be conducted at these sites at the present time. Should there be any development on or near these sites, then a research design needs to be developed for the implementation of archeological excavations to determine the nature and extent of this cemetery.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• CRM Archaeology and tDAR   •
• Midwest Archeological Center Technical Reports

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

File Information