Digital Spatial Technologies have become central to modern archaeological practice. There are a number of interrelated strands to this which can be broadly categorised as capture, management, analysis/interpretation, visualisation and dissemination.
Techniques and technologies used to capture spatial data include: Total Station Theodolites (TST), Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS), Airborne Laser Scanners (ALS) and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS); computational photography including Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), Structure from Motion (SfM) and photogrammetry.
Allied with this are tools and techniques to support management, analysis, visualisation and dissemination including more robust, ontologically driven, semantically enabled data models and Archaeological Information Systems (AIS) to handle both spatial and spatially referenced digital data and all manner of visualisations and interfaces (2D, 3D, graphs, web, portals, etc) for resource discovery, analysis and dissemination.
Digital resources are being made accessible like never before, with spatiality forming a key component, opening up new potential with platforms such as Google Earth and Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) for research, public access and heritage management either here, now, or becoming possible, drawing on and breathing new life into archaeological archives and indices.
All of this combines to help us as archaeologists create richer, multi-vocal, data driven narratives and theoretical frameworks and ultimately better understand the past and convey this to a wider audience. Drawing on experiences from one of the UKs largest archaeological units as well as ongoing projects across the heritage domain in which I have participated or observed, this talk aims to give a personal view on where we as a discipline are at and some ideas for where we can go next.
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Archaeological Computing Research Group (ACRG) Seminar: Digital Spatial Technologies in Archaeology
1. Wessex Archaeology
Digital Spatial Technologies
in Archaeology
A view from the coalface
Paul Cripps
•Geomatics Manager, Wessex Archaeology
•Archaeological Computing Research Group, University of Southampton
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
2. Wessex Archaeology
Overview
• Capture & Creation
– In the beginning…
• Structure & Order
– Modelling
• Analysis & Interpretation
– Resource Discovery
– Intelligent searching
– Semantics
• Visualisation
– The importance of UI
• Dissemination & Archives
– Onto the web and beyond
• Where next…?
– SDI, OpenData, LinkedData
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
3. Wessex Archaeology
Capture & Creation
• Growing range of 3D
tools/techniques for field survey
• Complimentary
– A toolbox approach
– Right tools for the job
– Strengths/weaknesses
• Direct Survey Techniques
– Global Navigation Satellite
Systems (GNSS)
– Total Station Theodololites (TST)
• Indirect Survey Techniques
– Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS)
– Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS)
– Structure from Motion (SfM)
– Photogrammetry
– Reduced field time vs increased
office time
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
4. Wessex Archaeology
Capture & Creation
• Office based capture/creation
using CAD/GIS
• Digitisation
– Vectors from 2D maps/plans
– Vectors from Point Clouds
• Integration
– Point Clouds
– Photography/Imagery
– 2D/3D Vectors
• Automation
– Point Cloud Vectors
– Raster Vector
– Photos/Video Point Cloud
and/or Meshes
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
5. Wessex Archaeology
Structure
• Spatial Data = Raster/Vector/Voxel + Attributes
• The basics, essential for practitioners:
– Appropriate geometries/data types/models
– Well modelled, standards compliant attribute data
structures
– Database theory: (de)Normalisation, Atomicity,
Redundancy, etc
• Moving forwards
– Ontologically driven models
– Semantic clarity
– Event based models
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
6. Wessex Archaeology
Modelling
• Object Oriented approaches • Events in the Present
– Object-Relational storage – ie archaeologists (people)
• Event driven models doing archaeology
– Any data object is the product – Fieldwork, analysis,
of an Event interpretation
– Very useful for describing the • Events in the Past
archaeological process – ie past peoples living,
• Can reduce everything to a experiencing, interacting with
few core elements each other and the world
around them; leaving…
• Typologies, classifications • Stuff
– A large proportion of what we – ie archaeological remains;
do finds, structures, etc in…
• Object Inheritance • Places
– Subtyping – ie depositional contexts,
– Ensures robust data objects structures, geographic
entities, etc
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
7. Wessex Archaeology
Analysis & Interpretation
• Inference & Evidence
– Who said what
– About what
– Based on what
• Multivocality
– Multiple potential
narratives
– Multiple strands of
evidence
• Versioning
– Currency & Validity Image courtesy of Sophia Yip: sophiayip.com
– Change & Propagation
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
8. Wessex Archaeology
Analysis & Interpretation
• Semantic clarity
• Ontologically mediated search
& retrieval
• Computer based reasoning;
logic applied to existing
resources
• Distributed systems,
aggregation, cross-searching
• Graph theory applied to
structured data
– Stratigraphy
• Moving into extra dimensions Image courtesy of Sophia Yip: sophiayip.com
– 3D GIS
– 4D GIS
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
9. Wessex Archaeology
Visualisation: temporal
• Structured data opens up • Dynamic views of
visualisation potential available evidence vs
– The Stratigraphic Matrix as chronology
UI – Highlights discrepancies
– Visualised any stored – Pinpoints where different
(spatial) data through the strands of evidence tell
chronological sequence different stories
• Graph theory • Result: more explicit,
• Graphing applications data driven narratives
– Consume XML/RDF
representations of site
archives
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
10. Wessex Archaeology
Visualisation: 2D plans
• Structured data opens up • Dynamic views of
visualisation potential available evidence vs
– Visualise any stored spatial patterns
(spatial) data through – Highlights discrepancies
spatial arrangements – Pinpoints where different
– Most data can be spatially strands of evidence tell
referenced different stories
• Sharing & collaborative • Result: more explicit,
working data driven narratives
– Thinking space
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
11. Wessex Archaeology
Visualisation: 3D
• Many potential modes • Wireframes, solids,
– Suit different purposes meshes, points, etc
• Photorealistic – Generally no need to mesh
– Beautiful dissemination – Meshes/solids for specific
outputs tasks eg refitting,
volumetrics, etc
– Lighting models, physics,
etc • Web based streaming
• Thematic/Schematic – Access to Big Data
remotely
– Can highlight different
properties – Sharing/collaboration
– Eg ALS/TLS intensity false • Nifty pseudo 3D
colour – eg RTI
– Perfect for objects,
structures, surfaces,
landscapes
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
12. Wessex Archaeology
Dissemination & Archives
• Archives as living breathing repositories to
be used and enhanced
– No more dead trees please
– No more microfilm in boxes please
– No more photographic prints in boxes please
• Digital systems as Data Warehouses vs Indices
• Leverage emerging/established spatial tech
– Standards based infrastructure vs project specific piles
• Shared/Community maintenance, access,
enhancement
• SDI, Social Media, Web2.0, etc
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
13. Wessex Archaeology
Where next…?
• Currently lots of potential for spatial data
– Technologies available
– Growing skills in the heritage sector
• Photographic data capture techniques
– SfM, automated photogrammetry
• Overcome obstacles for more integrated GI:
– Political will/understanding of technology
– Political will/understanding of licensing/copyright
– Funding bodies only funding project specific
developments not infrastructure/systemic approaches
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
14. Wessex Archaeology
Joining it all up: SDI
• Many sources of geographic
data
– Statutory, non-statutory
– National, local
– Contractors, museums, site
archives
• Currently disparate
– Access restricted
– Time wasted
transforming/handling data
– Versioning & currency
– Monetary costs
– Licensing
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
15. Wessex Archaeology
Joining it all up: SDI
• Massive potential for
leveraging technology
• Spatial Data
Infrastructures
– Distributed Systems
– Data Warehouses
– Web Map/Feature Services
– APIs eg HeritageGateway
– Pay-as-you-go models
• Open Licenses!
• Linked Data
– eg CRM EH RDF
– Semantically enabled
– Cross-searching
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
16. Wessex Archaeology
Joining it all up: SDI
• Improved Access
– Mashups
– Who’s data is it anyway…?
– Google Earth/Maps
– KML, WMS/WFS, GeoRSS, GML, etc
– Professional Access
– Contractors
– Improved efficiency
– Reduced costs
• Academic Access
– Research potential
• Public Access
– Links between museum collections,
site archives, national/local heritage
records
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
17. Wessex Archaeology
Some case studies &
examples
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
18. Wessex Archaeology
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Range of types
– Gyrocopters
– Fixed wing
• Range of payloads
– RGB HD cameras
– Multi-spectral imaging sensors
• Can be used to provide
imagery for photogrammetry
– Wide area, high resolution
topographic survey
– Very cost effective
– 3cm resolution DSM or better
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
19. Wessex Archaeology
Tamworth Castle
• Original spec for
photogrammetry
– Way too expensive!!
• Existing laser scan dataset
• New photographic survey
– Ground & aerial
• Combined to produce
stone by stone elevation
drawings
• No need for resurvey
– Cost effective
• High quality product
– Prepared to EH Metric
Survey specifications
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
20. Wessex Archaeology
Tamworth Castle
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
21. Wessex Archaeology
Tamworth Castle
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
22. Wessex Archaeology
Sandsfoot Castle
• Requirements:
– topographic survey of interior & immediate environs including earthworks
– Stone by stone elevation drawings as record
– Panoramic photography
• Restricted access: dangerous structure (crumbly castle on cliff edge!)
• TLSCAD+GIS
– Drawn elevations
– DSM & contours
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
23. Wessex Archaeology
Sandsfoot Castle
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
24. Wessex Archaeology
Sandsfoot Castle
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
25. Wessex Archaeology
Wakehurst Place
• National Trust property
• Complex external elevations
• Drawn elevations, floor plans, etc
– Traditional products
• Combination approach
– Direct & Indirect survey techniques
– image based methods (rectified photography, images+scan
data)
• Survey control network
– Closed loop traverse
• Located using GNSS
– OS map a little out…
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
26. Wessex Archaeology
Wakehurst Place
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
27. Wessex Archaeology
Salisbury Plain
• Monitoring of earthworks
– Topographic survey using
TLS
• Restricted access
– Short fieldwork duration
required
– Weeks for GNSS vs days for
TLS
• GIS based analysis
– DSMs
– Derived products; slope
– Models of change
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
28. Wessex Archaeology
South Wales
• 19 airborne LiDAR
datasets
• 40km2
• 133.5 million data
points
• 2 surface models Elevation component Intensity component
– Unfiltered elevation
– Intensity
• Transcription of
features
– NMP style
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
29. Wessex Archaeology
Tree graffiti
• Record and enhance tree graffiti
– Historical WWI and WWII graffiti warped
by tree growth
• Unwrapping & regression
– Challenging!
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
30. Wessex Archaeology
Stonehenge carvings
Left: (top to bottom) stone 3, stone 3 with ‘axes’ highlighted, stone 53 and stone 4
Above: stone 3 lit from below
Right: accessibility shading
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
31. Wessex Archaeology
Integration & Analysis: GIS
• Stonehenge Visitor Centre
• Environmental Impact
Assessment
– Modelled proposed structures &
tree planting
– LiDAR DSM @ 1m resolution
– Analysed potential visual impact
on >500 archaeological sites
– Probablistic viewshed model
– As built + 5,10,15yr models
– Many many viewsheds!
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
32. Wessex Archaeology
Hamdon Hill
• Topographic survey of earthworks
• Hillfort containing quarry
• Combination approach: Laser scanner
+ GPS
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
33. Wessex Archaeology
Tidworth garrison
• Record garrison in
advance of
redevelopment
• Visualisation of
existing buildings
and their context
• Used to target
further recording
works
– Direct Survey
using (TST)
• 0.75 km2 surveyed
• 37 buildings
• 25 billion
measurements
• 18Gb data file
• 10-25mm effective
resolution
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
34. Wessex Archaeology
Amesbury Archer bones
• Morphological
analysis of skull
– Cross-sections
– Measurements
– Profiles
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
35. Wessex Archaeology
Salisbury Plain
• R&D in collaboration with Leica
• Effectiveness as topographic survey tool
where vegetation is present
– Automated vegetation removal
– Manual workflows
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
36. Wessex Archaeology
Ontologies & Semantics
• Obviously proceed with easy targets
– Leverage eg Google, LinkedData initiatives, etc
• But also build on work to date:
• CIDOC-CRM
– Not aimed at systems design but useful concepts therein
– ISO standard
• CRM-EH extensions
– Extensions to the CIDOC-CRM for archaeological (fieldwork) data
– Models big chunk of the archaeological process
• Star + Stellar projects
– Tools for working with CRM-EH
– Broad range of contributors
• Ongoing & forthcoming projects
– eg KOS representations of thesauri to populate information
systems
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.
37. Wessex Archaeology
Thanks!
• Thanks to:
– English Heritage
– Archaeoptics For more info:
– 3D Laser Mapping www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics
– Kubit www.archaeogeomancy.net
– LatimerCAD p.cripps@wessexarch.co.uk
– Environment Agency
– Warner Land Surveys
– Leica
– Tamworth Borough Council
– Weymouth & Portland Borough Council
– National Trust
– Aspire Defence
– Defence Estates
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/geomatics Archaeological Computing Research Group seminar. Southampton. May 2012.