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It looks like a glorified baby stroller; however, in this case, the baby happens to be an important radar unit called Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). It is being used to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding the historic Sycamore Cemetery.

“We have been working with Mr. Bonner and Mr. Guilford for close to two years now, as we help them with the preliminary surveys of the site and try and determine what else we might have here,” said Chad Morris, professor and chair of the Anthropology Department at East Carolina University. “Today is only the second time we have used the GPR equipment. It helps us to determine where there are anomalies under the ground. It is one thing to have grave markers on the surface, but it is another thing to figure out where the burial pits are located.”

Morris said the new unit replaces a piece of technology that was around 15 years old. “It has much better imaging, and the processing is much faster,” said Morris. “It now gives us the ability after the initial scan to create some 3D imagery that helps us to understand what is underneath and not disturb the soil. We are not going to see the image of a body or anything like that, but it does measure the density of the soil. If it changes, say four to six feet down, that would be consistent with a grave. We have also marked areas today that are equal distance apart, which would be consistent with grave sites that have been buried in a line.”

For the last year and a half, Steve Bonner and his cousin Bonner Guilford have been uncovering a lot of their family history at the Sycamore Cemetery, which borders the north side of Oakdale Cemetery and was once part of the Bonner Hill Plantation. The overgrown and wooded area has since been cleared, thanks to the help of some goats and an excavator with a mulching head.

Perhaps the most significant find thus far has been what is believed to be the tomb of the family patriarch, Sheriff Thomas Bonner and his wife Abigail. Thus far, Bonner and Guilford estimate that they have located at least 19 different graves. “It is so exciting to see all of this happening,” said Bonner. “It is just another step in figuring out what we have, mapping and documenting that information, and then being able to move forward and begin the process of repairing and rebuilding some of the tombs and headstones that have been broken. And, of course, we would love to find some more headstones.”

“I can’t thank the family for all of the work they have done to get the land cleared so we can even utilize the GPR equipment,” added Morris. “It is a testament to their strength and belief in the history of this area. And it is great to be able to come out with some of our students and help unravel some of the mysteries surrounding the cemetery.”