Pulled from the back of a green Chevy Silverado, a low-powered ground penetrating scanner tries to pick up what’s below the asphalt parking lot of the old YWCA on Coming Street in Charleston.
This is where the College of Charleston wants to build new dorms. But it’s also where historians have warned the poor were interred as part of a public burial ground in the 1790’s, as many as 12,000 people.
“It’s radar, just like you look for planes,” said Dr. Scott Harris, the college’s associate professor of geology and environmental geo-sciences.
“You shoot it into the ground, and it reflects off of different layers of materials.”
The GPR scanner was used Saturday much like a lawn mower, rolling back and forth in rows over the pavement. Harris said if soil conditions were good, the three-dimensional scanner could detect objects as far as seven feet below.
“With this GPR, you can’t really detect human remains,” said Harris. “You might be able to detect grave shafts.”
Grave shafts are holes that are dug for burials.
The 106 Coming Street site has been controversial ever since the school announced plans to build new dorms there last year.
College officials say they can provide housing for only a third of their students. But the school’s own research shows the former 18th century burial ground may hold the remains of thousands of orphans, poor people and those where were enslaved.
Concerned community members have formed a coalition called, “Protect and Respect the Bodies". Many don’t want remains, if found, disturbed.
Meantime, the college has put together a council of concerned citizens that meets regularly with school officials. Several members were present for Saturday’s scanning.
Dr. Harris says the results of those scans should be available within the next two weeks.
