Multi-Method Burial Surveys Addressing the Apartheid of the Departed

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Nondestructive Alternatives: Canine Remote Sensing (Scenting)" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Consistent and reliable detection of human burials remains one of the most challenging goals of non-invasive surveys. Furthermore, since the graves of marginalized peoples have often been poorly documented and left unprotected, the resulting "apartheid of the departed" complicates efforts to locate and protect their burials. We present multi-method burial identification survey methods and protocols developed over two decades to improve preservation and protection outcomes. Although ground penetrating radar (GPR) is the most well-known method, it is often not effective due to a variety of limiting factors discussed here. Therefore, multiple complimentary sub-surface geophysical survey methods such as GPR, magnetic field gradient, electrical resistance and electromagnetic induction, combined with HHRD, can provide more robust data and clearer understanding of the subsurface aspects of cemeteries. The result: more equitable protection of those interred in unmarked and disturbed cemeteries and better outcomes for descendant communities. Case studies presented in this paper will include brief discussions of the geophysical results from a variety of mortuary survey contexts throughout North America, followed by a more detailed presentation of results from a “lost” cemetery of institutionalized individuals that was documented and preserved after a combined geophysical and HHRD survey.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• Nondestructive Alternatives: Canine Remote Sensing (Scenting)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 52007