| Project Background |
| A ten year archaeological project to identify the original James Fort (circa 1607), known as the APVA Jamestown Rediscovery, had recently reported finding remains of a palisaded fort wall that could be nearly 400 years old. The search was under way to locate the other sections of the original "triangle wise" fort in areas much more disturbed than where the original discovery was made. GGI offered assistance in an attempt to delineate additional undiscovered sections of the fort walls via nonintrusive geophysical delineation techniques in return for various advertising/promotional benefits. |
| Geo-Graf Investigation |
| Four separate Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) antenna systems (120, 200, 550, and 900 MHz) were tested over an undisturbed section adjacent to an open excavation displaying the discovered palisade post remnants of the northeastern fort wall. A GPR data signature of the palisade wall remains was established and it was concluded that GPR could be successful in delineating palisade wall remains. Palisade post remnants, in addition to a high concentration of possible gravesites, were delineated by GPR within the undisturbed northern-fenced churchyard. The wall remnants were detected extending from the excavation north of the brick church tower to the berm of the Civil War fort. Additional areas were investigated and targets were delineated, and the findings were included in our report to Dr. Bill Kelso, Director of Archeology - APVA. This report was later released by Dr. Kelso. |
| GPR Data Profile |
| Please Wait as the image below loads. It is actual radar data from the Jamestown Rediscovery Project collected by Geo-Graf engineers utilizing a 550 MHz GPR antenna. |
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| Above: GPR data profile over
undiscovered fort wall remnants. Each target shown
represents a former posthole or wood post remnant. This
wall line was detected within an undisturbed church yard
area. 550 MHz GPR antenna system, 30 ns. Excerpt from APVA follow-up letter to Fred Graf, P.E., President, Geo-Graf, Inc.: "Dear Fred et. al: Please accept this delayed letter of appreciation for you (sic) volunteer testing of James Fort and for sending along that splendid report. I have been traveling ever since you were here and now that things are a bit more calm I guililty (sic) acknowledge your fine work..... I showed a slide of your work at National Geographic Society public lecture with good response so if you need advertising, I freely give it. Sincerely yours, William M. Kelso, Director of Archaeology" |