Geophysical Survey Techniques

Ernenwein, Eileen G.

doi:10.1002/9781119592112.ch49

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 40 publications

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“…We should note, however, that even somewhat lower-resolution SWIR imagery, at a 10-20 cm GSD for example, would be in line with the spatial resolution of most aerial thermal data we have collected [40,42] as well as that of most terrestrial geophysics like magnetometry, resistivity, or ground-penetrating radar [54]. While individual artifacts would be difficult to identify at this lower resolution, it would offer a potentially powerful prospection and mapping tool for other kinds of surface features, including architectural remains, field systems, roadways, pits, ditches, or earthworks.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 54%

Drone-Acquired Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) Imagery in Landscape Archaeology: An Experimental Approach

Casana,

Ferwerda

2024

Remote Sensing

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Many rocks, minerals, and soil types reflect short-wave infrared (SWIR) imagery (900–2500 nm) in distinct ways, and geologists have long relied on this property to aid in the mapping of differing surface lithologies. Although surface archaeological features including artifacts, anthrosols, or structural remains also likely reflect SWIR wavelengths of light in unique ways, archaeological applications of SWIR imagery are rare, largely due to the low spatial resolution and high acquisition costs of these data. Fortunately, a new generation of compact, drone-deployable sensors now enables the collection of ultra-high-resolution (<10 cm), hyperspectral (>100 bands) SWIR imagery using a consumer-grade drone, while the analysis of these complex datasets is now facilitated by powerful imagery-processing software packages. This paper presents an experimental effort to develop a methodology that would allow archaeologists to collect SWIR imagery using a drone, locate surface artifacts in the resultant data, and identify different artifact types in the imagery based on their reflectance values across the 900–1700 nm spectrum. Our results illustrate both the potential of this novel approach to exploring the archaeological record, as we successfully locate and characterize many surface artifacts in our experimental study, while also highlighting challenges in successful data collection and analysis, largely related to current limitations in sensor and drone technology. These findings show that as underlying hardware sees continued improvements in the coming years, drone-acquired SWIR imagery can become a powerful tool for the discovery, documentation, and analysis of archaeological landscapes.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 54%