Radar Survey Maps Unmarked Graves at Newtown Cemetery
TerraSearch Geophysical is using non-invasive imaging to catalog historic burial sites in Harrisonburg.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Geography
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TerraSearch Geophysical is performing a ground-penetrating radar survey at Harrisonburg's Newtown Cemetery to identify unmarked burial sites. This project, funded by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, aims to map the historic site without requiring excavation.
Why it matters
The survey addresses the significant number of unmarked graves in historic burial grounds, helping families and historians better understand the landscape of the site. It provides a non-invasive way to catalog burial plots at a location listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The survey utilizes ground-penetrating radar, which sends high-frequency radio waves into the soil to map subsurface anomalies. This process enables researchers to identify burial locations versus the surrounding geological baseline without disturbing the ground.
The players
Newtown Cemetery
A historic burial ground located in the Northeast neighborhood of Harrisonburg, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
TerraSearch Geophysical, LLC
A firm specializing in geophysical surveys and subsurface mapping techniques.
Virginia Department of Historic Resources
The state agency responsible for overseeing historic preservation and providing funding for preservation-related projects.
The details
Ground-penetrating radar, or GPR, functions by emitting pulses of electromagnetic energy into the earth. When these waves encounter soil disturbances or physical objects—such as burial shafts—they reflect back to a receiver to create a subsurface profile. This technology allows for the precise mapping of burial locations while maintaining the physical integrity of the historic site.
Timeline
The ground-penetrating radar survey began on October 24, 2026.
Survey activities are scheduled to resume on October 26, 2026.
The Tech Race
This project aligns with modern non-invasive archeological methods used to maintain the integrity of sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It follows a trend of using geophysical imaging to document historical landscapes where physical excavation is prohibited or undesirable.
Families with ties to the site may eventually gain better clarity on burial locations once the mapping process is concluded. The survey is currently in progress, with fieldwork scheduled to continue through the upcoming days.
The takeaway
The study provides a modern data-driven approach to identifying thousands of burial sites that lack physical markers. Interested residents should monitor future disclosures from the site managers regarding the final burial counts and updated site maps.
Further reading
For more on local historical mapping projects, explore our Geography section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Whsv.
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Should local communities prioritize funding surveys to identify unmarked graves in historic cemeteries?
