The roles of macro- and micro-scale geophysical investigations to guide and monitor excavations at a Middle Woodland site in northern Georgia, USA

Abstract

Geophysical investigations have become standard in archaeological practice to map sites and help select location for excavation, but the application of these techniques in real time during excavation to help anticipate feature location and maximize recovery has not been developed. This paper presents results from both traditional geophysics and new approaches to using these methods during excavations at Rice Farm (9DW276), a Middle Woodland site located in a broad floodplain adjacent to the Etowah River in north Georgia. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) at the surface was effective in recording reflection events indicative of archaeological features, such as hearths, posts and possibly ditches. Magnetometry was helpful, but less effective due to heavy plough zone scarring and noise from modern metallic debris. High-frequency handheld GPR was helpful in monitoring excavations in real time and assisted excavators in anticipating the locations of both large and small diameter features. Excavation of geophysical anomalies exposed important features for the interpretation of this newly documented site.