Using Sector-Scan Sonar for the Survey and Management of Submerged Archaeological Sites

Abstract

This article reports the results of using a sector‐scan sonar to record diverse submerged archaeological sites in shallow and deep water. The Kongsberg MS1000 sector‐scan sonar was developed for commercial applications, typically underwater inspections of bridges, dams, ports and harbours. The ability of the device to rapidly generate high‐quality, geometrically accurate scans of submerged features, coupled with its ease of use and deployment make it a potentially important, yet largely overlooked, tool for survey and management of underwater archaeological sites. As one of several technologies available, the paper examines its advantages and limitations, and considers, through case studies, under which conditions it is most effectively deployed.

Evaluating a Static Multibeam Sonar Scanner for 3D Surveys in Confined Underwater Environments

“…MSIS might also be used in a dynamic fashion for ROV or AUV guidance, provided that the image distortions due to vehicle motion are filtered out [9]. The images generated can then be used to map an area, as shown in [10], but they do not provide real 3D information.…”