Geophysical and Remote Sensing Field Equipment

The geophysical and surveying equipment owned by the Department of Archaeology is available for research projects conducted and/or overseen by Archaeology faculty. The following policies and procedures must be followed with regard to this equipment.

1. Electromagnetic Conductivity Meters
The EM31 and EM38 Electromagnetic Conductivity Meters with Omnidata Digital Data–Logger provide direct readings of terrain conductivity in millisiemens per meter to depths of about 6m and 1.5m respectively. These are general-purpose subsurface mappers and are particularly useful where soil conductivity is too high to permit the effective use of G.P.R.

2. Digital Ground Penetrating Radar
GSSI SIR-2000 digital ground-penetrating radar includes carrying harness, battery packs, control console, 400 MHz antenna (recommended for most applications), and 900 MHz antenna for shallow high-resolution surveys. An Acer laptop with the Radan processing suite can be checked out as well.

3. Portable Cesium Magnetometer
The Model G-858 Portable Cesium Magnetometer with gradiometer option includes Magmap 2000 v3.06 processing software for Windows, a cesium sensor with cables, rechargeable gel-cell battery, AC/DC battery charger, and a carrying case. This magnetometer measures variations to 0.1 N and yield a true gradient measurement without interference from diurnal fluctuation or background regional gradients. (Purchased 4/2000)

4. Proton Magnetometer
In addition to the cesium model above, we have two older Proton Magnetometers (Model G-856AX) that can be used in conjunction to measure magnetic fields in archaeological and shallow geologic applications.

5. Electronic Total Station (E.D.M.)
The newer Sokkia Set 3B and the Lietz/Sokkia Set 3 are state-of-the-art surveying systems. They are used to measure distances and angles between points, and are equipped with a data-logger system that can be used to automatically download values.

6. Hand-held Global Positioning System (G.P.S.) units
There are three Garmin GPS-12 hand-held units that can be used independently to determine latitude and longitude position (on the order of 3-meter accuracy). (Purchased 1/2001)

7. Global Positioning System (G.P.S.)
The Department has two GIR 1000 GPS units. These units can be used to tag the exact position of features in the field to submeter accuracy. The units can be programmed to use UTM coordinates or latitude and longitude. (Purchased 1/1999)

Equipment Policy Statement

The geophysical and surveying equipment owned by the Department of Archaeology is available for research projects conducted and/or overseen by Archaeology faculty. The following policies and procedures must be followed with regard to this equipment.

Equipment availability

  1. Department of Archaeology geophysical and surveying equipment is available for:
    a. Field research conducted by Department of Archaeology faculty;
    b. Field research conducted by Department of Archaeology graduate students working under the sponsorship of Department of Archaeology faculty (requests must be submitted by the Department of Archaeology faculty sponsor); and
    c. Field research conducted by Boston University affiliates (e.g., Department of Archaeology Research Associates and faculty from related departments at Boston University) working under the sponsorship of Department of Archaeology faculty (requests must be submitted by the Department of Archaeology faculty sponsor).
  2. All requests will need to satisfy all conditions outlined below and will be considered on an individual basis by the GIS & Remote Sensing Committee.
  3. In the eventuality of scheduling conflicts Department of Archaeology faculty projects, including field schools, will have priority claim on all equipment.

Equipment requests

  1. Projects wishing to use the equipment must submit a written request to the Chair of the GIS & Remote Sensing Committee.
    a. Requests should be made well in advance of the anticipated period of use to allow time for any necessary repairs, upgrades, or replacement of parts for the requested instrument(s).
  2. The request should include the following information:
    a. The project title and director’s name;
    b. The dates (inclusive) for which the equipment is requested;
    c. The instrument(s) that is (are) requested. All components of the instrument(s) will be lent as a package and the project will assume responsibility for all components during the lending period;
    d. The intended application of the instrument(s);
    e. The intended principal operator of the instrument(s) during fieldwork;
    f. An outline covering the preparation of the principal operator for using this and similar equipment, including coursework and practical field experience;
    f. The intended means of transporting the instrument(s) to and from the field;
    g. Budget of funds allocated to cover the cost of equipment use.
  3. Graduate students must state which faculty member s/he will be working with in the field and who will sponsor the equipment use.
  4. The GIS & Remote Sensing Committee will arrange in writing to make equipment available during the requested period.

Contact: Professor Christopher Roosevelt, Committee Chairman.
Download PDF Request Form here.

Equipment use

  1. Projects borrowing equipment acknowledge that the instrument(s) will be used only for the applications outlined in the written request.
  2. Prior to being lent, the functioning status of the instrument(s) will be verified and the components of the equipment package inventoried by a member of the GIS & Remote Sensing Committee.
  3. The project borrowing the equipment will meet with a member of the GIS & Remote Sensing Committee to check/inventory the components and to sign an agreement acknowledging the terms of this Policy Statement and receipt of the instrument(s) and all components in working order. This shall be the equipment “check out.”
    a. The GIS & Remote Sensing Committee will provide digital copies of instrument-specific manuals and manufacturers’ download/data transfer utilities necessary for the operation of the instrument as part of the equipment package.

    b. It is the project’s responsibility to obtain advanced data processing and interpretation utilities as desired.
  4. It is the project’s responsibility to determine what documentation and security clearance is required by customs and immigration officials when the equipment is transported to/from foreign countries.
  5. Equipment must be hand-carried to/from the field rather than shipped.
  6. The project borrowing the equipment will arrange to meet again with a member of the GIS & Remote Sensing Committee upon completion of fieldwork and return of the equipment to inventory the components and check condition. This shall be the equipment “check in.”

Equipment fee

  1. The GIS & Remote Sensing Committee assesses equipment fees per instrument per week of use. Please contact the committee chairman to learn current rates. The fees help fund upgrades, general maintenance, and batteries and other replacement parts with a limited use-life to ensure equipment is updated and operable.

Liability and maintenance

  1. The project borrowing equipment will assume financial responsible for the maintenance / replacement of the instrument(s) and components during the loan period and until the equipment is checked in.
    a. Loss, theft, and/or damage to equipment owned by the Department of Archaeology and Boston University and in use outside the country will be covered under Boston University’s foreign master insurance program.
    b. The borrowing project will be responsible for meeting the $2500 minimum deductible for claims under Boston University’s foreign master insurance program.
    c. Projects will be financially responsible for any necessary equipment repairs or maintenance when it is returned from the field. This shall exclude batteries and other components with a limited use-life and which will be covered by equipment fees.
  2. The GIS & Remote Sensing Committee will make arrangements to have repairs/maintenance done either by the original manufacturer or qualified service providers.
  3. Office of Risk Managment property damage claim procedures web site http://www.bu.edu/risk/property/index.html