Archaeological Investigation: Searsport, Maine

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: New England District

Ocean Surveys conducted a marine geophysical investigation in Searsport Harbor, Maine in support of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (New England District) channel deepening project. The investigation was designed to provide information both for marine archaeological assessment of the harbor and an evaluation of geological conditions within the depth of interest for the project. The study was performed under contract to The Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc. who was responsible for the marine archaeology aspect of the project.

The primary objectives of the marine geophysical investigation included the identification of natural and man-made objects on and below the seafloor, high-resolution seismic data acquisition, and an overall assessment of subsurface conditions, e.g. identification of coarse glacial till (cobbles, boulders) and bedrock that may adversely affect dredging operations within the depth of interest.  The subbottom data were also meant to provide information on any seismic facies suggestive of paleo-environments, such as buried channels and shorelines, which might represent potential pre-historic cultural sites.

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