Decoding Battlefields: Systematic Metal Detection

As archaeologists with the Northeast Archaeological Resources Program (NARP) of the National Park Service Dr. Bill Griswold and Joel Dukes have worked with a diverse range of conflict sites from New York to Virginia. The presentation will highlight many battlefield survey topics including: What is a systematic metal detection project? When is a metal detection investigation appropriate? Developing an appropriate research plan, Preplanning, Collection Strategies, Survey Methods, Data Management and understanding the role of environmental conditions. Several case studies that were successful in answering questions about battlefields will be discussed.

The event will be hosted at The Sheheen Colonial Artisan Center at Historic Camden. Joel Dukes and Dr. Bill Giswold will join us remotely.

Registration is free, but donations to the program are always greatly appreciated.

About Dr. Bill Griswold:

William A. Griswold, Ph.D. RPA, is a retired NPS archaeologist. Before retiring in 2024, Griswold spent 31 years with the Northeast Archaeological Resources Program (NARP) in Lowell, MA. During his career, Griswold served as Archaeological Advisor to many of the National Parks within the Northeast Region and retired as the Regional ARPA Coordinator. Griswold also led several battlefield-related archaeological projects at Saratoga National Historical Park and Jumonville Glen (part of Fort Necessity National Battlefield) as well as serving as a Scientific Recovery Expert (SRE) on a DPAA project in the UK. Griswold holds a MA (1990) and Ph.D. (1992) in Anthropology/Archaeology from Harvard University.

About Joel Dukes, MA, RPA

Joel Dukes has been an archaeologist with the National Park Service Region 1 Archaeology Program based out of Lowell, Massachusetts since 2008. Prior to that he was an archaeologist for the US Forest Service for eight years. Joel has an interest in exploring new archaeological methods for investigating and interpreting battlefields and has led and participated in projects at battlefield parks including Gettysburg, Appomattox, Richmond, Minute Man, and Saratoga. Mr. Dukes holds an M.A. in Anthropology/Archaeology from the University of Georgia (1993), and a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Southern Mississippi (1989). He is an Advanced Metal Detecting for the Archaeologist instructor and has also served as a Scientific Recovery Expert with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.