2009 Magnetometer Survey

Come rain, snow, wind, mud, briars and too tall corn stalks, the geophysical survey of the Barton Site started April 1st 2009 and continued for several weeks. Under the supervision of Dr. Tim Horsley,

archaeological geophysicist from the University of Michigan, Chapter members Bob Bantz, Roy brown and Dave Frederick wrangled 30 meter long, 1 meter marked ropes maintaining the grid laid out over the 37 acre site while Dr. Horsley operated the magnetometer.

The downloading of 160,000 readings taken daily is providing some very interesting results. Dr. Horsley presented a report to the Chapter at the October 23 meeting to include information on several other noninvasive survey methods.

Results of the Barton survey revealed several 'new'

village patterns and evidence of intensive use of the site. The new information provides exacting guidance for further investigation and, of course, raises many new questions.