Case Study
Chaves-Hummingbird Pueblo
14th-15th century Ancestral Pueblo Village, New Mexico
See also: Southern Methodist University Chaves-Hummingbird
website
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Electrical resistance and magnetic field gradient
surveys was performed By Dr. Lewis Somers of Archaeo-Physics
at the Chaves-Hummingbird Ruin in central New Mexico. The
survey was performed as part of an ongoing research program
at the site by Southern Methodist University Two geophysical
methods were used, a twin probe electrical resistivity survey
and a magnetic field gradient survey. These surveys were successful
in locating burned features, architectural units, and plaza
features at this 13th to 15th century ancestral Pueblo site.
The image below shows the results
of the electrical resistance survey. Resistance survey was
successful in defining numerous features and intra-site patterning.
Major architectural components of the site are outlined in
the image to the right.
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Yellow
contours indicate positive magnetic anomaliesRed
contours indicate negative magnetic anomalies
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The image below shows magnetic field gradient
survey results overlaid as contours on an image map of resistance
survey results. While resistance survey was more successful in defining
architectural components (right), magnetic anomalies may represent
thermo-remanent magnetization of archtectural components, suggesting
burned features.
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Yellow
contours indicate positive magnetic anomalies
Red
contours indicate negative magnetic anomalies
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For a more information about the site, see SMU's
Chaves-Hummingbird website.
