Dreaming of Perfect Data: Characterizing Noise in Archaeo-Geophysical Measurements

Schmidt, Armin; Dabas, Michel; Sarris, Apostolos

doi:10.3390/geosciences10100382

Cited by 24 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…In Figure 6, three texture attributes [39] were calculated on the same depth-slice. It is remarkable to notice that attributes have a strong potential, but are very sensitive to the SNR, which is often low in GPR datasets of archaeological sites [45]. Some attributes (such as the Chaos one) are able to highlight not only the edge of buried structures, but also their extension.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimised Extraction of Archaeological Features from Full 3-D GPR Data

et al. 2021

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The use of non-invasive methodologies is becoming essential for archaeological research, and ground penetrating radar is one of the most important techniques to obtain high resolution information. In this paper we present the analysis of a full 3-D GPR dataset integrated with a high-resolution photogrammetric survey acquired in a Roman archaeological site located in Aquileia (Northeast Italy) within the partially excavated area known as “Fondo Pasqualis”. We evaluated the importance of dense and accurate data collection and of processing of the GPR signal for characterization of the archaeological features. We further discuss the parametrization and the applicability of GPR attributes, in particular amplitude-based and coherence attributes, to better identify and characterise the archaeological buried targets. Furthermore, autopicking procedures for isosurfaces mapping were critically evaluated with the objective of detecting complex structures. The final interpretation of all the GPR features, with the support of digital terrain modelling and orthophotos from unmanned aerial vehicles, guided the archaeologists to open and excavate newly selected areas, which revealed interesting structures and contributed to the understanding of the historical events that characterized the Aquileia city.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimised Extraction of Archaeological Features from Full 3-D GPR Data

et al. 2021

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“…This might indicate a greater thickness of the soil superimposed over archaeological features, which would explain the weaker response from these structures captured by the magnetometer. Also, there are considerable sources of noise located nearby, which additionally hinder the interpretation of this part of the magnetic map (Schmidt et al, 2020: 12–3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reinterpreting a “Roman villa” site: First results of nondestructive archaeological research in Dračevica (Donji Radišići, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Dziurdzik

Pisz

Mech

et al. 2022

Archaeological Prospection

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The article presents the results of archaeological prospection of site Dračevica (Donji Radiši ci, Ljubuški municipality, West Herzegovina Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina) which was partly excavated in the late 19th century and so far has been interpreted as a Roman villa, possibly with a special function (road station) and a name attested in ancient sources (Bigeste). Through the use of various nondestructive prospecting methods (aerial photogrammetry, fieldwalking survey, magnetic susceptibility, magnetometry, earth resistance), precise location with RTK GNSS and integration of the data in GIS, the site was restudied and reinterpreted. It was established that the structures are not isolated, as was assumed in the earlier research but rather were a part of a much larger Roman settlement. The research proves that the internal spatial division of the site is more complicated than previously thought, consisting of several building complexes located along a road, as well as land division systems. Such settle-

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“…The soil and sedimentological analyses were focused on a basic characteris the subsurface materials present with regard to properties such as particle size d tion and organic matter content, which are pivotal to the soil water infiltration, r properties, and drainage processes (Tables 3 and 4, see also Section 1.1). Monito tions 2 and 3 have no registered archaeological features, and therefore serve as re for the soil and sediment properties on the site, particularly with regard to the to Revisiting the depth-slices with this in mind, it seems that the level of background noise (background noise refers here to all unwanted elements in the GPR data including deviations from the desired signal attributable to the device used, to external sources as well as to what is sometimes called "soil noise" [35])-which, if high, can make the data interpretation significantly more difficult-increases the level of contrast, which is reflected by the higher standard deviation values of the respective depth-slice. Depth-slices showing a more homogenous background, in turn, imply a lower contrast and indeed show lower standard deviations, however, the lower noise levels in the background ultimately facilitate an interpretation of the archaeological features.…”

Section: Soil and Sedimentological Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Environmental Factors on the Quality of GPR Data: The Borre Monitoring Project

et al. 2022

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The Borre Monitoring Project investigated how environmental factors, in particular, precipitation and soil moisture variation as well as different soil and sediment types, affect the quality of GPR data collected for archaeological purposes. To study these questions, regular GPR surveys were conducted over a period of 14 months across a test area covering a hall building at the Iron and Viking Age site of Borre in Norway. In order to obtain in situ measurements of environmental factors relevant for electromagnetic wave propagation including volumetric water content, bulk electrical conductivity, ground temperature, and precipitation, three monitoring stations were erected at the test site. Soil and sediment samples taken from the profiles at the respective monitoring stations were analysed to gain a basic description of their physical and chemical properties. Twelve GPR surveys were conducted roughly once a month between August 2016 and September 2017 and the results clearly indicated differences in the quality of the data collected. To better understand the underlying causes for this variation, GPR data were compared against and integrated with the in situ measurements gathered using the monitoring stations. The results of this analysis emphasised the benefit of dry conditions, which, if prevailing over a longer period of time, proved to generate GPR data of the highest quality. Seasonality could not be attested; instead, data quality was governed by small-scale weather patterns, where the time and intensity of rainfall events prior to the surveys as well as sudden changes in air temperature played a decisive role. While the results of this study are only valid for sites with similar settings such as Borre, they emphasise the importance of considering the environmental factors during all stages of a GPR survey and highlight the need for further studies investigating other settings.

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Dreaming of Perfect Data: Characterizing Noise in Archaeo-Geophysical Measurements

Cited by 24 publications

References 82 publications

Optimised Extraction of Archaeological Features from Full 3-D GPR Data

Optimised Extraction of Archaeological Features from Full 3-D GPR Data

Reinterpreting a “Roman villa” site: First results of nondestructive archaeological research in Dračevica (Donji Radišići, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The Influence of Environmental Factors on the Quality of GPR Data: The Borre Monitoring Project

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