Heather, a good place to check would be the agronomy depts at Purdue or Illinois. MaryAlice Parks ----- Original Message ----- From: <Heather.Wallace@med.va.gov> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, April 05, 2002 8:51 AM Subject: RE: [INPCRP] Effects of cemetery burning > rich- > > I am new to this list, so please let me know If I need to respond in a > different way. > > I have become quite good at comprehensive literature reviews, and spend a > lot of time in the library. It would be no problem to begin looking for > lit., on this matter. I actually think it would be very interesting. > > I've worked on headstone restoration and epitaph preservation projects in > the Anth,. dept., here at IUPUI. I think several people on faculty could be > helpful. > > I know that cemetery burnings are controversial in many regards. However, I > am a firm believer in preserving the environmental integrity of the > landscape. Often, the landscape/geography of the cemetery is as > contextually important as the markers and plots themselves. in many cases, > burning is absolutely necessary to the regeneration of native grasses and > flora. Smith cemetery is a perfect example. The fire(s) should be planned > and supervised by qualified individuals, as to ensure that the fire is quick > and safe. usually, the vegetation is low and not too thick. This prevents > prolonged and extremely high temperature burns (which would increase the > likelihood of damage). > > I'll begin to explore the literature on this topic and will share whatever I > learn. > > Sincerely, > > Heather Wallace > > -----Original Message----- > From: Rich Green [mailto:rgreen@nlci.com] > Sent: Friday, April 05, 2002 8:21 AM > To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [INPCRP] Effects of cemetery burning > > > Hi Heather, > > I would also be interested in information pertaining to the effects of > cemetery burning. It would seem logical to me that the long term effect > of burning in cemeteries may ultimately adversely impact the headstones. > > The variety of stone materials are already weathering at different rates > as a result of normal climate changes. It follows then that > artificially induced severe temperatures and the accelerated rate of > temperature change coupled with any chemical residues of burned material > may hasten deterioration. Or is there some evidence that the results of > burning tend to inhibit headstone weathering? This is an interesting > topic and one worthy of discussion by the members of this cemetery > preservation list. > > I recall once reading the cautionary statements on the use of cleaning > chemicals on marble and granite floor materials. I believe the > manufacturer advised against the use of any harsh cleaning fluids and > even heavily chlorinated waters? Surely there have been intensive > studies of similar materials utilized in the building or other > industries that could be utilized to compare and possibly predict the > long term effect burning activity may have on the stone materials found > in 19th century pioneer cemeteries? > > In this wacky world of ISO standards and extensive testing of > construction materials, I am confident that there have been copious > thermal tests conducted on these types of stone done by someone. > Indiana University is located right in the heart of "stone country" and > would be a good place to start an inquiry. > > I was hoping someone on the list would broach this subject from the > perspective of the possible effects on the headstone inscriptions. In > many cases, the stones in these early cemeteries offer a peek into the > pioneer history of the region not recorded elsewhere. If the carvings > are allowed to deteriorate beyond recognition (or if this process is > actually accelerated), we may be inadvertently increasing the loss of > valuable historical and genealogical information not found elsewhere. > > Thanks in advance for forwarding your information on this important > topic. > > Regards, > - > Rich Green > Historic Archaeological Research > 4338 Hadley Court > West Lafayette, IN 47906 > Office: (765) 464-8735 > Home: (765) 464-8095 > http://www.har-indy.com > > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > Blessed are the Elderly, for they remember what we will never know. > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer > Cemeteries Restoration Project only. >