The magnetic data are processed with simple computer programs and the assistance
of a student-friendly instructor to produce maps of the magnetic fields
at the site. The magnetic data is downloaded to a portable computer where
it can be processed and evaluated on-site.
A contour
map of magnetic data from the Old College site shows a large magnetic anomaly
in the southeast corner and scattered anomalies to the north characteristic
of buried iron.
Excavations show that the large negative magnetic anomaly is the foundation
of a 19th century farmhouse.
Extensive
gradiometer surveys were conducted over a four year period at the Bennac
Village.
The map below shows magnetic data from the Bennac Village site.
You can easily see a modern septic tank and tile field in the upper right
corner (don't want to dig there!). Archaeological features are indicated
by letters. They include scattered historic artifacts and a prehistoric
fire place ("C").
The magnetic map was produced with TNT-Lite, an image processessing
program from MicroImages, Inc.
using computers in one of the DeBartolo Collaborative Classrooms. 
The resistance data from the Bellinger site show two looter's pits (potholes)
in a mound at the site.
The resistivity data color maps were made using an evaluation copy
of Geoplot (version 2) supplied by Geoscan Research, Ltd and Dr. Lewis
Sommers.
The map below shows resistivity data from the Bennac Village site.
Compare these results with the magnetic data shown above. The complementary
nature of magnetic and resistivity data are clearly visible.
The magnetic map was produced with TNT-Lite, an image processessing
program from MicroImages, Inc.
Go
to the Field School Home Page
Go
to the Anthropology Department Home Page
Go
to the Notre Dame Home Page
Learn
about the NDDown program for downloading geophysical data (and obtain a
copy)