MRI: Acquisition of Geophysical Instruments for Archaeological Research and Student Training at the University of Southern Indiana

地球物理仪器通常用于考古研究，以测量土壤的不同性质。这些仪器可以在不挖掘或干扰现场的情况下“看到”地表之下，并在考古学中用于定位完整的沉积物，揭示有关现场组织的信息，并帮助放置挖掘单位。南印第安纳州大学（USI）将利用NSF-MRI基金购买电阻率仪，这是中西部最常用的地球物理勘探方法之一。这一工具将大大提高该大学进行高质量研究和培养训练有素、可就业的学生的能力。首席研究员目前正在从事一些研究项目，获得这一仪器将大大促进这些项目。其中最重要的是一个计划在曼恩进行的多年研究项目，曼恩是一个接触前的美洲原住民遗址，可追溯到公元100-500年。毫无疑问，曼恩是印第安纳州这一时期最重要的遗址，也是整个中部大陆最重要的遗址之一。该遗址以其庞大的面积（430英亩）和许多大型土丘的存在而闻名。然而，曼恩遗址的独特特征是存在与大规模建筑相关的密集和广泛的居住区，这是中林地其他地方看不到的特征的组合。尽管该遗址具有独特的性质，但在曼恩进行的考古研究相对较少。最近，印第安纳州出于保护的目的收购了该遗址的部分地区。现在，这个机会之窗已经打开，USI准备在这个重要的网站进行急需的研究。曼恩的地球物理调查将使国家能够更好地制定解释和保护该遗址的计划，并将有助于制定未来土地购置的优先事项，如果有机会购买更多地块的话。最后，teis仪器也将被纳入USI的本科生的教学/培训。这些课程将为人类学学生提供考古学中使用的尖端仪器的实践经验，并为他们未来在该领域的工作做好准备。研究结果将通过在线分发所得数据和报告以及面向外行听众的一系列公开讲座向公众提供。

Geophysical instruments are routinely used in archaeological research to measure different properties of the soil. These instruments can "see" beneath the surface without excavation or disturbance to the site and are used in archaeology for locating intact deposits, revealing information about site organization, and aiding in the placement of excavation units. The University of Southern Indiana (USI) will utilize NSF-MRI funds to purchase a resistivity meter, which is one of most common methods of geophysical prospection used in the Midwest. This instrument will significantly add to the university's ability to produce high quality research and well-trained and employable students. The Principal Investigator is currently engaged in a number of research projects that will be greatly facilitated by the acquisition of this instrument. Primary among these is a planned multi-year program of research at Mann, a pre-contact Native American site, dating to A.D. 100-500. Mann is, without a doubt, the most significant site of this time period in the state of Indiana and one of the most important in the midcontinent as a whole. The site is remarkable for its sheer size (430 acres) and the presence of many large earthen mounds. However, the singularly distinctive characteristic of the Mann site is the presence of dense and widespread habitation areas in association with large-scale earthwork construction, a combination of traits not seen elsewhere in the Middle Woodland. Despite the site's unique character, there has been relatively little archaeological research performed at Mann. Recently, the State of Indiana has acquired portions of the site with the goal of preservation in mind. Now that this window of opportunity has opened up, USI is ready to undertake much-needed research at this important site. Geophysical survey at Mann will allow the State to better develop plans for the interpretation and preservation of the site and will assist in developing future land acquisition priorities should the opportunity arise for the purchase of additional parcels. Finally, teis instrument will also be integrated into the teaching/training of USI's undergraduate students. These courses will give anthropology students hands-on experience with cutting-edge instruments used in archaeology and prepare them for future work in the field. Results of the research will be made available to the public through online distribution of the resulting data and reports, and a series of public lectures geared toward a lay audience.