Cartersville in Bartow County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Remote Sensing at Etowah

— Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Remote Sensing at Etowah Marker

Inscription.

Remote Sensing at Etowah. . Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) uses high-frequency radio waves transmitted into the ground. This nondestructive method records variations in the return signal that may indicate buried archaeological features such as structures, fire pits, and burials. The depth range of GPR is limited by the electrical conductivity of the ground, the transmitted center frequency, and the radiated power. When the ground is more conductive, the penetration depth decreases. Here at Etowah our clay-laden soils hamper penetration., Electrical resistivity survey uses electrical resistance to map subsurface archaeological features and patterns. The area to be surveyed is first staked into a grid pattern. Metal probes (electrodes) are then inserted into the ground to obtain a reading of the local electrical resistance. As the technician walks the instrument along closely spaced parallel lines and takes readings, a computer logs the data at regular intervals., Magnetometers and gradiometers measure the level of magnetization of any magnetic material like iron. Archaeologists use both instruments to detect magnetic anomalies of various types at a much larger depth than conventional metal detectors. A magnetometer measures a magnetic field, providing data on its strength and direction. A simple magnetometer consists of a free moving magnet. As the magnet moves in relation to the magnetic field around it, a calibrated scale can measure the movement, translating it into usable data. A compass is the most recognizable and widely used magnetometer. A gradiometer evaluates the difference between two measurements, strength and direction. A fluxgate gradiometer provides an electrical signal proportional to the intensity of the external magnetic field acting along its axis., (captions) , Shown above is one reading from the gradiometer's computerized data. To the right is one archaeological interpretation from all the readings. What can you see in each?, If you could be the archaeologist for Etowah, where would you place your next excavation in the village area? , What can you see in this enlarged view of fluxgate gradiomenter data?

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) uses high-frequency radio waves transmitted into the ground. This nondestructive method records variations in the return signal that may indicate buried archaeological features such as structures, fire pits, and burials. The depth range of GPR is limited by the electrical conductivity of the ground, the transmitted center frequency, and the radiated power. When the ground is more conductive, the penetration depth decreases. Here at Etowah our clay-laden soils hamper penetration.

Electrical resistivity survey uses electrical resistance to map subsurface archaeological features and patterns. The area to be surveyed is first staked into a grid pattern. Metal probes (electrodes) are then inserted into the ground to obtain a reading of the local electrical resistance. As the technician walks the instrument along closely spaced parallel lines and takes readings, a computer logs the data at regular intervals.

Magnetometers and gradiometers measure the level of magnetization of any magnetic material like iron. Archaeologists use both instruments to detect magnetic anomalies of various types

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at a much larger depth than conventional metal detectors. A magnetometer measures a magnetic field, providing data on its strength and direction. A simple magnetometer consists of a free moving magnet. As the magnet moves in relation to the magnetic field around it, a calibrated scale can measure the movement, translating it into usable data. A compass is the most recognizable and widely used magnetometer. A gradiometer evaluates the difference between two measurements, strength and direction. A fluxgate gradiometer provides an electrical signal proportional to the intensity of the external magnetic field acting along its axis.

(captions)
Shown above is one reading from the gradiometer's computerized data. To the right is one archaeological interpretation from all the readings. What can you see in each?

If you could be the archaeologist for Etowah, where would you place your next excavation in the village area?

What can you see in this enlarged view of fluxgate gradiomenter data?

Erected by Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Remote Sensing at Etowah Marker

• Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 34° 7.681′ N, 84° 48.437′ W. Marker is in Cartersville, Georgia, in Bartow County. It can be reached from Indian Mounds Road SE 0.2 miles south of Sequoyah Circle, on the left when traveling south. Located on the grounds of Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 813 Indian Mounds Road SE, Cartersville GA 30120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Etowah Mounds

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(a few steps from this marker); Etowah’s Wattle and Daub House (a few steps from this marker); The Defensive Ditch/Borrow Pit (within shouting distance of this marker); A Return to Native Grasses (within shouting distance of this marker); A Chiefly Village on the Etowah (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Etowah (Tumlin) Mounds (about 600 feet away); Mound A - Symbol of a Chiefdom (approx. 0.2 miles away); Etowah’s Past, Present, and Future (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cartersville.

Also see . . .
1. City Beneath the Mounds. (Submitted on August 2, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site. (Submitted on August 2, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.