City staff, archaeologists discuss proposal for an in-house archaeology program and GPR survey of suspected fortification near Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

City staff outlined a concept at the July 10 Archaeological Review Committee meeting for creating an in-house archaeological section within the City of Santa Fe and for pursuing targeted ground-penetrating radar (GPR) research to map a subsurface feature discovered during prior work near the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Committee members, city staff and an outside GPR operator discussed feasibility, permissions, procurement and funding pathways.

Steven (city staff) and Paul (staff) said they had canvassed senior archaeologists and historians about supporting a three-year city program that would include periodic technical advisory meetings, scope development for GPR surveys, and, eventually, hiring two to three city archaeologists dedicated to municipal projects. Staff said the public utilities division has particular need for repeated archaeological monitoring related to water and utility line replacement and has available funding streams that might be used to seed the program; staff proposed an initial planning allocation (they referenced an amount for planning sessions) and indicated they would present a fuller budget and proposal to department directors and then to governing body.

The committee and staff discussed how a GPR survey could proceed. Robin Cordero and Jenny (GPR operator) described the method and logistics: GPR is a ground-based system that is typically pushed across flat…