MULTISENSOR GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY RESULTS FROM THE PINE TREE MOUND SITE: A COMPARISON OF GEOPHYSICAL AND EXCAVATION DATA

Abstract

A multisensor geophysical investigation of portions of the Pine Tree Mound site (41HS15) located in Harrison County, Texas, was conducted prior to large-scale block excavations there. The investigation included electrical resistance, magnetic field gradient, and ground-penetrating radar surveys. The geophysical survey and subsequent excavations were undertaken in an effort to mitigate the effects of coal mining operations on the site. This article presents the results of our geophysical investigations and describes an online data analysis tool created with the intention of simplifying interpretation of these complex multivariate data and making these data available to a broad audience. The article also compares the geophysical signal response with excavation results from the site. Sources of uncertainty in both data sets are discussed, and possible reasons for observed incongruities between the geophysical and excavation data are explored. We end by making recommendations for innovative ground truthing methods that might allow us to more definitively interpret geophysical data in the future.