Abstract
We present a new technique to detect flat archaeological sites with minimal ceramics using an unmanned aerial vehicle that maps surface stone concentrations. Methods deployed include point pattern analysis of stone concentrations and a machine-learning technique using unsupervised classification of visible stone signature qualities, which are used in linear regressions to compare with geophysical and ceramic surface survey results of a site in Iraqi Kurdistan. There is a stronger fit (r2 = 0.77) between surface stone concentrations and architecture identified by geophysical measurement, while surveyed ceramics show a weaker fit to defined architecture (r2 = 0.31). Surface stone concentrations are potentially a better proxy than ceramics for determining the presence of past settlement in regions where stone was commonly used, sites are relatively flat, and ceramics are found in low concentrations. The methods advanced here can be scaled to wider areas, particularly in mountainous regions, where surface stone features are present.
| Item Type: | Journal article |
|---|---|
| Faculties: | History and Art History > Department of History > Ancient History |
| Subjects: | 900 History and geography > 900 Geschichte |
| ISSN: | 0093-4690 |
| Language: | English |
| Item ID: | 68923 |
| Date Deposited: | 24. Sep 2019, 06:27 |
| Last Modified: | 02. Apr 2020, 06:24 |
Actions (login required)
- View Item
