Associated Press - August 31, 2009 5:44 PM ET

MOUNDVILLE, Ala. (AP) - A University of Alabama anthropology professor and an archaeology consultant are teaming up to locate remains dating back to the 1200s, thanks to modern technology.

Anthropology professor John Blitz and consultant Chet Walker threw out traditional methods of excavation and are using a magnetometer to locate the remains.

The instrument, sometimes used in geophysical surveys, can indicate prehistoric activity. It helped them find clusters of house remains in a test trial. Blitz expects to get new insight on how the Moundville Native Americans lived by exploring more than 250 acres in an unexplored section of the town.

Blitz said the magnetometer indicates remains using computer-generated technology without disturbing the site.

Information from: The Tuscaloosa News, http://www.tuscaloosanews.com

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