Archaeological Prospection 

About: Archaeological Prospection is an academic journal published by Wiley-Blackwell. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Ground-penetrating radar & Excavation. It has an ISSN identifier of 1075-2196. Over the lifetime, 732 publications have been published receiving 13126 citations.

Taking computer vision aloft – archaeological three-dimensional reconstructions from aerial photographs with photoscan

Abstract: Structure from motion (SFM) algorithms are known for their ability to reconstruct a sparse point cloud of scenes that were imaged by a series of overlapping photographs. When complemented by stereo-matching algorithms, detailed three-dimensional models can be built from such photograph collections in a fully automated way. Since 2010, a computer vision software package called PhotoScan has been available from the Russian manufacturer AgiSoft LLC. Even though the programme has a straightforward and simple interface, state-of-the-art SFM and other computer vision algorithms are implemented that enable PhotoScan to generate very dense and accurate three-dimensional meshes of various (archaeological) settings captured in two-dimensional imagery. Using a mixture of archaeological case studies, it will be shown that this low-cost application produces excellent results from aerial imagery in a minimum of time with almost no effort needed. Because of its solid and uncomplicated operation, it looks like this application could become an essential part of the aerial archaeologist's toolkit. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

LiDAR‐derived Local Relief Models – a new tool for archaeological prospection

Abstract: Local relief models (LRM) are proposed as a new tool for archaeological prospection. A data processing approach is presented which produces LRM from LiDAR-derived high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs). The LRM represents local, small-scale elevation differences after removing the large-scale landscape forms from the data. The LRM greatly enhances the visibility of small-scale, shallow topographic features irrespective of the illumination angle and allows their relative elevations as well as their volumes to be measured directly. This makes the LRM an improved basis for spatially extensive archaeological prospection over a wide range of landscapes. The LRM raster map of local positive and negative relief variations can be used for the mapping and prospection of archaeological features such as burial mounds, linear and circular earthworks, sunken roads, agricultural terraces, ridge and furrow fields, kiln podia and mining/quarrying sites. This approach is currently being used in a project aimed at the complete archaeological mapping and prospection of the state Baden-Wurttemberg (Germany), covering an area of 35 751 km2. The goal of the project is the verification and extension of the existing archaeological data base. An object-based local relief vector layer is produced as a by-product; however, due to the common amalgamation of natural and anthropogenic features this cannot be used efficiently for archaeological prospection at present. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ground‐penetrating radar: a modern three‐dimensional prospection method

Abstract: This article gives an overview of the various aspects of ground-penetrating radar as used in archaeology. After a short overview of the historical development of the technique, the most important physical parameters and principles are explained. This includes relative dielectric constant, conductivity, attenuation, horizontal and vertical resolution, wavelength and footprint. The focus is on data processing and some of the pitfalls involved. Several algorithms from seismic data processing are described, including migration. Stress is laid on the generation of time- or depth-slices as the basis for displaying the data. Using three-dimensional visualization techniques can enhance this, but interpretation in combination with other data, preferably within a geographical information system, remains the important last step. The advantages of modelling are explained and presented with the range of possible applications. Many the techniques and methods described are subsequently used in four case histories, ranging from a survey on a lake to a three-dimensional model of a part of a roman town. Finally some thoughts about the future development of the method are presented. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Drones in Archaeology. State-of-the-art and Future Perspectives

Abstract: In addition to traditional platforms for low-level remote sensing (balloons, kites, etc.) new and more complex automated systems [unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones] have become available in the last decade. The success and market expansion of these platforms has been a driving force in the development of active and passive sensors specifically designed for UAVs. In the last few years archaeologists have started testing both platforms and sensors, particularly for the following applications: three-dimensional (3D) documentation of archaeological excavations; 3D survey of monuments and historic buildings; survey of archaeological sites and landscapes; exploratory aerial survey; and the archaeological survey of woodland areas. The scale of these applications has ranged from site-based to landscapes-based (approximately up to about 10 km2 in extent). The role of such platforms in the archaeological survey of excavations and landscapes, and in diagnostics more generally, is of great interest and is inexorably growing. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Providing an archaeological bird's‐eye view – an overall picture of ground‐based means to execute low‐altitude aerial photography (LAAP) in Archaeology

Abstract: Since the beginning of aerial photography, researchers have used all kinds of devices ranging from pigeons, kites, poles and balloons to rockets in order to take cameras aloft and remotely gather aerial data needed for a combination of research goals. To date, many of these unmanned devices are still used, mainly to gather archaeologically relevant information from relatively low altitudes, enabling so-called low-altitude aerial photography (LAAP). Besides providing a concise overview of the unmanned LAAP platforms commonly used in archaeological research, this paper considers the drawbacks and advantages of every device and provides an extensive reference list.