Using GPR to Dig Up the Past

November 11, 2014

A Landscape Architect, an Engineer, and an Archaeologist walk into a cemetery.

No, this isn’t the beginning of a joke. It’s actually the beginning of a unique project that BETA is working on in conjunction with Dr. Brian Jones, Connecticut’s State Archaeologist.

Old South Cemetery is a 2.5 acre parcel located in Hartford, CT. It is the second oldest municipal burial ground in the City, and while some of the land has markers indicating burial sites, much of it is open land. Through the use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), the City hopes to determine whether there are unmarked gravesites. The results will dictate whether, and where, landscape improvements can be made and will provide indication for key features such as interpretive signage.

The Old South Cemetery project coincides with other work BETA has done to develop cemetery master plans. The master plans are then used as a foundation for site condition improvements and to reduce maintenance. The GPR analysis will begin on November 13th. BETA and the City look forward to seeing what Dr. Jones discovers!