Theme:
2. Archaeological Sciences, Humanities and the Digital era: Bridging the Gaps
Session format:
Regular session
Title:
Non-invasive archaeology: integrating satellite, UAV, and geophysics with traditional field methodologies
Content:
The archaeological workflow is being revolutionised by non-invasive methods such as geophysics and remote sensing. Their application is increasingly prevalent due to their lower cost and increased ease of use. Examples include satellites and unpiloted aerial vehicles (UAVs) with RGB, laser, and spectral sensors; geophysical techniques such as magnetometry, GPR, and resistivity; and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for data collection and interpretation.
Compared to traditional approaches, these methods are a fast way of acquiring large datasets. Their systematic integration needs further exploration however, in order to unlock the true potential of these methods when seamlessly embedded into the archaeological process. This integration ranges from large-scale approaches to study sites and landscapes, to more focused applications in excavation data analysis.
Challenges can arise due to the interdisciplinary nature of these approaches, where external specialists may not fully grasp the archaeological needs, and archaeologists may not entirely understand the possibilities and limitations of the techniques. Furthermore, data processing remains complex; a technical understanding of the method itself is often required, and the standard process does not always align with the requirements of an archaeological context. This makes data visualisation challenging, especially for techniques such as GPR and LiDAR.
This session explores the dynamic relationship between non-invasive technologies and traditional methods in research-driven and development-led archaeology. We invite contributions dealing with the integration, comparison, and validation of non-invasive and invasive methods, including the use of remote sensing, geophysical prospection, pedestrian survey, coring, and excavation. Digital aspects of the workflow, including GIS, spatial analysis, and Artificial Intelligence, are also welcomed. Reflections concerning the theoretical and technical application of non-invasive methods are invited, as well as insights and considerations regarding methodology, potentially aligning with broader efforts to standardise methodologies and datasets across projects and regions. We encourage the evaluation of both successful and unsuccessful outcomes.
Keywords:
remote sensing, UAV, field methods, interdisciplinarity, GIS
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Session associated with CAA:
no
Session associated with DGUF:
no
Session associated with other:
EAA Archaeological Prospection Community
Main organiser:
Manuel J.H. Peters (Germany) 1
Co-organisers:
Piotr Wroniecki (Switzerland) 2
Pedro Trapero Fernández (Spain) 3
Affiliations:
1. Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology
2. Montefortino Prospection & Digitalisation
3. Cádiz University
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