Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of Andersonville National Historic Site

In June, 2005 the Georgia Department of Transportation partnered with the National Park Service (NPS) to survey portions of Andersonville National Historic Site using ground penetrating radar (GPR). The NPS requested the GPR survey in an attempt to answer specific research questions related to the Civil War prison camp. Questions addressed included locating the position of the South Gate, Third Hospital, Dead House, and interior prison features. A small portion of the cemetery was also surveyed in an attempt to document burial techniques for the earliest graves. A total of seven GPR grids were surveyed; six on the southern portion of the prison camp and one in the cemetery. Overall the GPR survey was very successful, producing dramatic results and locating many subsurface features. The location of the South Gate was identified as well as portions of the outer, middle, and inner stockade. The prison interior was rich with deep pit features that most likely represent hand dug wells or house pits. The location of the Third Hospital was possibly located, while unfortunately the Dead House was not. The survey determined that the earliest graves within cemetery were interred as single burials, predating mass burial practices utilized later when the number of dead increased.