Journal Article

Assessment of geophysical methods for burial characterization: the old city cemetery in Murfreesboro, TN

Doll, William E., Sandoval, Vanessa, Bartel, Laura, Alam, Md. Iftekhar

2026

Overview

The Old City Cemetery in Murfreesboro TN is a 3.5-acre cemetery site which encompasses the buried archaeological remains of the 1820 Old First Presbyterian Church and associated burial sites. To understand burial signatures, verify the location of the church and assist the Rutherford County Archaeological Society (RCAS) with their conservation and restoration project, we have conducted an integrated geophysical investigation using the ground penetrating radar (GPR), magnetic and electromagnetic methods. Our results show numerous magnetic anomalies arranged in a quasi-regular grid pattern over portions of the site where headstones are absent. The dimensions, and separation of the anomalies are consistent with graves. Other unmarked graves are indicated by diffraction hyperbolae in GPR profiles. In some cases, GPR, electromagnetic and magnetic anomalies are related to existing graves, indicated with headstones in the northern part of the cemetery. Geophysical signatures in the southern portion of the cemetery are interpreted as potential locations for burials. A rectangular grouping of anomalies is also observed at the church location. This verifies the area of the church foundation which was previously excavated. Additionally, a long linear anomaly (LLA) is identified in all three datasets and is thought to possibly indicate a brick path or similar feature. The study provides a useful combination of GPR, magnetic and electromagnetic methods for historical cemetery characterization.