USING GROUND PENETRATING RADAR TO INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE UNMARKED BURIALS AT THE OLD GERMAN LUTHERAN CEMETERY IN BENTLEYVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA

The Old German Lutheran cemetery is a historic cemetery located four miles northwest of Bentleyville, Pennsylvania with graves dating as far back as 1791. Home to over 100 gravestones, including veterans from the Revolutionary war, it has historical significance to the area. The cemetery fell into disarray sometime in the 20th century and is currently undergoing restoration work through collaboration with local archaeologists, PennWest university, and The Sons of the Revolution historical group. Plans include gravestone restoration and development of an access road for local residents. Unfortunately, many parts of the cemetery lack surface identification of burials despite implication based on surface depressions, leading to concern that restoration efforts may disturb unmarked graves. A NOGGIN 250 MHz ground penetrating radar grid survey was first taken on a 6x40 ft grid (A) containing three in place graves with noticeable surface depressions to gain a baseline for burials. Four other surveys were then taken in areas of interest to the caretakers. A 30x20 ft grid (B) was taken at the northern corner and yielded three likely burials that did not correspond to known burials. A 20x70 ft survey (C) was then taken along the northwest border and yielded less clear results due to airwave interference from the bordering fence. Two bordering grids, one 20x20 ft (D), and the other 30x20 ft (E), were then surveyed at the southern corner of the site. These surveys yielded three likely burials that were not associated with marked burials. Several additional regions of the cemetery represent likely unmarked grave locations so more surveys are planned to assist the township in planning efforts for remediation and access road construction.