Geophysical Detection and Assessment of Leveled Mounds: An Example from the Upper Mississippi Valley

Most earthen burial mounds of eastern North America have been destroyed—or they? We review geophysical methods for assessing whether leveled retain intact deposits or features. Magnetic survey holds promise locating and evaluating because it is rapid sensitive to magnetic variations associated with anticipated features such as pits mound fill. As a case study, we discuss our the Gast Farm site (13LA12) in Iowa. The covered 8.64 ha, encompassing loci one previously reported possible geometric earthworks well Middle Late Woodland habitation areas. Interpretation results incorporated quantitative differentiation anomaly types using GIS techniques, along standard visual inspection. found no evidence but identified at least six mounds. Displaced fill appears account earthwork-like conclude that are detectable may subsurface integrity. Their features, including burials, be identifiable even when above-ground has disappeared.