BEYOND THE HEADSTONES: A GEOPHYSICAL STUDY OF THE GARRISSON HILL CEMETERY REALOCATION.

Author

Paulo Vitor Mendes Da Cunha, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

5-1-2025

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Wagner, Mark

Abstract

The historical nature and documented relocations of burials at Garrison Hill Cemetery at Fort Kaskaskia Historic Site in Randolph County, Illinois, motivate this thesis's exploration of the underlying composition of the cemetery. Although official records state that all human remains were relocated from the town of Old Kaskaskia to the new site, evidence suggests that some may have been left behind, raising the question of whether the remains were truly moved or if only their headstones were relocated.The study collected and analyzed geophysical data from five grids around the Garrison Hill cemetery. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data indicated subsurface anomalies associated with degraded and structured burials. Magnetometer data revealed further disturbances consistent with ferrous objects, possibly related to burial artifacts. These discoveries verified the presence of elements consistent with what is expected from a cemetery with interments, confirming that the remains were moved with the headstones. Socioeconomic and religious aspects of the cemetery's organization were also analyzed using data from the geophysical study. The findings suggest that graves associated with individuals of higher social standing tend to have greater durability and archaeological visibility. This study contributes to the field of historic cemetery studies by demonstrating the utility of combining geophysical techniques and historical information to investigate historical cemeteries non-invasively. The findings improve our understanding about the past of Garrison Hill Cemetery but also contribute to showcase how to conduct similar investigations worldwide.