modern technology for ancient analysis
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Modern Technology for Ancient
Analysis: LiDAR at Aztalan State ParkBy Colleen A. Hermans
Image by Randy Roberts
Overview
Why is Aztalan important? LiDAR specs for the area Examples and comparisons of
images Benefits of using LiDAR for archaeology Looking towards the future
Platform Mound and Palisade WallImage from the Wisconsin Historical Society
Aztalan: 1000 – 1200 AD,
Middle Mississippian Village
Cahokia: Cultural Center from 700 – 1400 AD; peak
1050-1200 AD
Image from www.legendsofamerica.com
Jefferson County
Aztalan
LiDAR data and specs used
LiDAR flown over north half of Jefferson County in 2004 by Merrick and Company
Products derived: 2’ contours, DTM, Ortho, planimetrics
TINs created from the 2’ contours used by our floodplain program
Ann Runyard from DNR extracted the nodes and created a seamless TIN from 2 overlapping TINs
Mark Dudzik, DNR archaeologist, consulted
Contours derived from
using a transit station
Time intensive 1 week, all day Need to be nearby
in order to survey on foot
Image courtesy of Mark Dudzik, DNR
2’ Contour map
of AztalanPrevious transit station contour area
Aztalan 2X vertical 1. Northwest
Mound: built in 3 stages
2. Southwest Mound:
largest mound 3. Natural gravel
knoll 4. Remnant mound 5. Row of Conical
Mounds
1
2 3
4?
5
?
Southwest platform
Southwest platform mound
through stockade
Northwest platform mound
N
N
Image from the Wisconsin Historical Society
Image from the Wisconsin Historical Society
Image from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of Anthropology
Miles0 0.20.12008 NAIP
DOP vs. LiDAR: Conical Mounds
Conical Cross Sections
Conical Mounds
Image from the Wisconsin Historical Society
N
±
East Bank
Erosion pothole
East Bank Cross Section Data
DOP vs. LiDAR
LiDAR advantage: Penetrates foliage
2008 NAIP
Benefits of LiDAR
Monitor/preserve known existing sites over a large terrain (that can be difficult to navigate)
Discover new sites Depending on the LiDAR density, can
be very accurate Contour lines – more time efficient
than using a total station LiDAR is to mound sites as aerial
imagery is to Nazca lines in Peru
Example of better LiDAR
Image from New York Times, courtesy of Caracol Archaeological Project
Another Example: Effigy Mound National Monument by Continental Mapping; found new mound; 15 cm vertical accuracy
Future of LiDAR and Archaeology
Sharing of data across professions and agencies
Statewide data! CGI of Aztalan
Create 3D mound depictions similar to creating buildings in cities
Image courtesy of Friends of Aztalan