Detection and characterisation of Black Death burials by multi-proxy geophysical methods

Abstract

The Crossrail underground network extension discovered well preserved skeletons shallowly buried in Central London in 2013. Subsequent carbon dating and aDNA analysis confirmed the archaeological age and presence of the Yersinia pestis "Black Death" plague epidemic strain. Here we present the non-invasive multi-proxy geophysical survey of the adjacent Charterhouse Square, rapidly undertaken to detect any further burials and characterise the site. Historical records suggested the area was a burial ground for Black Death plague victims, before subsequent cemetery and urban land use. Following initial trial surveys, surveys imaged ~200 isolated and similar-sized burials in the southwest of the site. There were also two contrasting burial orientations present at various depths which suggested a series of controlled phased burials. A well-defined eastern burial boundary, taking the form of a ditch and bank, was also discovered. Geophysical surveys also identified a subsequent complex site history with multiple-aged features. This study revises knowledge of Black Death aged-burials and provides important implications for successful geophysical burial detection with significant time-and space-limited site constraints.

Multi-disciplinary investigations at PoW Camp 198, Bridgend, S. Wales: site of a mass escape in March 1945

“…For example, the GPR 225 MHz frequency antennae were judged optimal, this mid-range frequency having been shown by other studies to detect buried archaeological objects buried at least 1 m depth bgl. 44 Electrical resistivity survey equipment was judged to be optimally set up with a dipole-dipole 0.5 m probe separation; this is the conventional probe configuration for shallow level investigations.…”

Geophysical Forensic for Archaeological Exploration in Muarojambi, Indonesia

“…It can covers large areas rapidly [8]. Geophysical forensic can detect various phases of burial over different periods [9]. Geophysical forensic give recommendation for archaeological excavation [10].…”

Wildlife crime: The application of forensic geoscience to assist with criminal investigations

“…5). background removal 2D filter; (6) Gain function, which boosts deeper reflections within the profiles, following standard practices (see [25,40]). Time slices were not generated due to the widely-spaced 2D profiles and non-grid nature of the survey..…”

“…The use of forensic geoscientific methods are being increasingly utilized to assist in both criminal (e.g. see [20][21][22][23][24][25]) and wildlife crime investigations, commonly for trace evidence to identify material provenance or link perpetrators to crime(s) (see [26][27][28][29]). Geoscientific site investigation methods for search vary depending upon the specific case, site, and numerous other factors that are reviewed elsewhere [30][31].…”