CONTRASTING CASE STUDIES: URBAN AND RURAL GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATIONS AROUND AKRON, OHIO

The aim of this paper is to present a summary of magnetic gradiometry and electrical resistance surveys conducted at four archaeological sites within or adjacent to the Cuyahoga River valley near Akron, Ohio. Four case studies will be presented. Two of these sites are in an urban setting and are historic sites dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Schumacher Cascade Mill and Middlebury Cemetery; the other two sites are prehistoric and in a rural locale, Garden Pond (Late Archaic, ca. 5,000 – 2,500 BP) and Hampton Hills Terrace (Whittlesey/Late Prehistoric, ca. 950-350 BP). The method and results of each survey will be discussed and evaluated with an emphasis on its urban or rural setting. While all of the surveys resulted in promising data each had its unique set of successes, failures and surprises.