Development of a Down-hole Magnetic Susceptibility Logger and Soil Magnetic Laboratory for Archaeological and Soils Investigations

在美国国家科学基金会重大研究仪器奖的支持下，Rinita Dalan博士将与barington Instruments Ltd.合作开发一种适合考古和其他近地表应用的井下磁化率记录仪。地表过程影响土壤磁性，在沉积背景下，可以利用深度上的磁性变化来识别单个埋藏表面，并深入了解导致其磁性变化的因素。根据初步数据，Dalan博士认为，通过这种方式可以区分人为修改的表面。因此，原则上，磁化率记录仪可以用作定位和确定考古遗址范围的勘探设备。由于目前正在开发的记录仪可以测量深度达1.6米的井段，并且可以插入直径为1英寸的井眼内，因此具有广泛应用的潜力。与巴廷顿仪器有限公司合作Dalan博士将帮助开发第二阶段的原型。将进行实地和实验室测试，并将实验将第二代原型机的性能与最初的原型机进行比较，并用于就进一步改进提供建议。性能将根据许多变量进行评估，包括可重复性（噪声）、灵敏度、稳定性和分辨率。此外，还将评估现场操作的速度和便利性以及应用的灵活性。实地和实验室测试以及分析和介绍将在1.5年的时间内进行。南部的阿加西湖地区是一个重要的考古区域，Dalan博士很容易到达，提供了一系列不同的土壤和沉积环境，因此提供了一个很好的测试环境。3 / 4个地点，大多数经过考古检查和地质学描述，提供了一个可控的环境。除了井下测量外，还将收集沉积物样本供实验室分析。这个项目之所以重要，有几个原因。它将为考古学家和土壤科学家提供快速方便地绘制深度磁化率变化的能力，并提供对导致这种变化的沉积物特征的洞察。它也将在本科生培养中发挥重要作用。Dalan博士将积极地让摩尔黑德州立大学的本科生参与实验和实地研究。该项目为教授考古学、地球物理学和土壤科学原理提供了一个很好的工具，并有望为鼓励学生从事科学事业提供一种体验。

With support from a National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation award, Dr. Rinita Dalan will collaborate with Bartington Instruments Ltd. to develop a down-hole magnetic susceptibility logger appropriate for archaeological and other near-surface applications. Surficial processes affect soil magnetic properties and in depositional contexts it is possible to use magnetic variation over depth both to identify individual buried surfaces and to gain insight into the factors responsible for their magnetic alteration. Based on preliminary data, Dr. Dalan believes that humanly modified surfaces can be distinguishable in this way. Thus, in principle, a magnetic susceptibility logger could be used as a prospection device to locate and to determine the extent of archaeological sites. Because the logger currently under development can measure sections up to 1.6 meters in depth and be inserted within a 1" diameter hole, it has the potential for widespread use.Working with Bartington Instruments Ltd. Dr Dalan will help to develop a stage two prototype. Both field and laboratory tests will be conducted and experiments will compare the performance of the second-generation prototype to the original and be used to provide advice on further improvements. Performance will be evaluated in terms of a number of variables including repeatability (noise), sensitivity, stability and resolution. In addition, speed and ease of field operation as well as flexibility of application will be evaluated. Field and laboratory tests, together with analysis and presentation will be conducted over a period of 1.5 years. The southern lake Agassiz Region, an archaeologically important area easily accessible to Dr. Dalan provides a set of diverse soil and sedimentary environments and thus offers an excellent test situation. Three/four sites, most archaeologically examined and pedologically described give a controlled context. In addition to down hole measurements, sediment samples will be collected for laboratory analysis.This project is important for several reasons. It will provide archaeologists and soil scientists with the ability to quickly and easily plot variation in magnetic susceptibility over depth and offer insight into the sediment characteristics responsible for this variation. It will also play a significant role in undergraduate student training. Dr. Dalan will actively involve Moorehead State University undergraduates in both laboratory and field aspects of the research. The project provides an excellent vehicle to teach principles of archaeology, geophysics and soil science and hopefully will provide an experience which encourages students to pursue careers in science.