Wessex Archaeology
The use of Spatial Technologies
and digital tools and techniques
in Archaeology
From trowel tip to publication and
beyond…
Paul Cripps
•Geomatics Manager, Wessex Archaeology
•PGR student, University of Southampton, Archaeological Computing Research Group
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
Introduction
• Process and
Tools/Techniques
– What we do and the tools
we use
• No background
knowledge required!
– Overview of how spatial
technologies run through
what we do as
archaeologists
– NOT detailed presentation
of technology
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
Overview
• Fieldwork • CAD & GIS
– Excavation recording • Mobile field recording
– Field survey – Portable GIS
– Buildings recording – Smartnet
• In the office • Laser scanning
– Post-ex analysis
• Web technologies
– Grouping & Phasing
• Ontologies and data
– Desk Based Assessment
structures
• And beyond…
– Publication & Dissemination
– Local and national archives
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
In the trench
• Pre-ex recording • Digital techniques:
– GPS survey – Smartnet GPS
• Post-ex recording – Robotic Total Station
– Drawn plans Theodolite (TST)
– GPS survey – Digital context sheets
– Photography – Digital photography
– Vertical photography – Databases and GIS
– Context records – Structured data
• Questions of interpretation • Why…?
– Access to information – Increased efficiency
– Classification – Better access to and sharing
of information
– Quality data for subsequent
processes
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
In the field (literally)
• Topographic survey • Digital Techniques
– Purpose – Topographic Survey
• Record known features • Smartnet GPS
• Identify new features • Robotic Total Station
– Resolution, precision and Theodolite (TST)
accuracy • Terrestrial laser scanning
• LiDAR
• Condition surveys and
monitoring – Condition and walkover
surveys
– Repeatability • Handheld GPS
– Systematic • Mobile GIS
– Comparable • Why…?
• Rapid appraisals – Increased efficiency
– Speed and accuracy – Better access to information
– Quality data for subsequent
processes
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
In (and around) historic buildings
• Metric survey • Digital techniques
– Formal – TST & TheoLT
– Accurate – Laser scanning
– Elevations – Digital photography
– Interiors – Photogrammetry
– Perpendicular…? • Traditional stereo-
photography
• Photographic surveys • Photomodeller
– Inventory
• Why…?
– Baseline
– Quality data for subsequent
• Condition assessments processes
– Repeatability – Accuracy
– Systematic – Reduced time in the field but
– Comparable more possible outputs with a
laser scan
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
In the office
• Excavation data • Digital technologies
– Grouping – Databases
• Controlled terminology
– Phasing • Summary statistics
– Interpretation – GIS
• Finds processing • Spatial analysis
• Cartography
– Dating • Map-based data entry; phasing &
– Typologies and classification grouping
• Synthesis through spatial component
• Environmental – CAD and 3D tools
– Typologies and classification • Visualisation
• Building surveys • Traditional and novel outputs
• Harris Matrix as interface…?
– Scale drawings – The internet
– 3D models and views • Online resources eg MAGIC
• Desk Based Assessment • Why…?
– Collation of resources – Access to and sharing of information
– Map regression – Better interpretation as a result
– Data sources
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
And beyond…
• Publication of reports • Digital techniques:
– Access to accurate, up-to-date – GIS & databases
information • Synthesis through spatial
– Cartography and figures component
• Cartography
• Archives • MIDAS compliance and
– Metadata interoperability
– Local/National repositories • Forum on Information Standards
– Standards in Heritage (FISH) wordlists
• – The internet
Shared resources and access to
• Semantic web
information
• Mapping for all eg GoogleMaps,
– Online SMR/HERs Virtual Earth, ArcGIS Server,
– National Monuments Record OpenLayers, etc
• Portals: Heritage Gateway, ADS,
• Potential for exploration and novel Pastscape, Images of England, etc
interpretation of existing data
• Why…?
– Improved quality of data and
research (reciprocal)
– Public involvement and audiences
– Preservation by record
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
Putting it all together
• Nearly all data has a spatial component or can be
related to something which does; a spatial core to
archaeological information
• Can use digital tools to make best use of this
Field Survey Processing
and Publication,
Repositories
Analysis dissemination
Building survey and online
and archive
resources
deposition
Excavation Post-ex
Web-mapping, Web-mapping
TST, GPS, databases, ArcGIS, Spatial ArcPublisher, Portable services (WMS/WFS),
digital photography, Analyst, AutoCAD, Document Format open formats
photomodeller, laser Vue Infinite, Maya, (pdf), open formats (shapefile), semantic
scanning, TheoLT databases (shapefile) web
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
A common framework
• To make digital systems work, spatial data and
associated systems must conform to standards
– MIDAS, FISH, OGC, CIDOC CRM
• Datasets must be adequately described
– Metadata
– Enables resource discovery
• Then we can do magical things 
– From survey to report in moments eg Dartmoor
– Infinitely reusable point clouds
– The rise of GoogleMap mashups
– Online Archaeology map (credit: Steve White)
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
Showcases
• Some exemplars of new technologies
– Mixture of work undertaken by Wessex and others
• LiDAR
– topography and intensity
• Web-mapping
– Geocommons Maker! and Finder!
• Post-ex analysis
– The award winning Framework Archaeology Freeviewer and
BAA datasets
• Laser scanning
– Stonehenge
• Smartnet
– The active GPS network managed by the OS and partners
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
Archaeological excavations
• Data born digital on survey
instruments
– Or digitised from permatrace
plans
• Context records and finds
records digitised
• Brought together using GIS
• Visual inspection of any data
by
cut/intervention/deposit/group
• Detailed geostatistical analysis
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
LiDAR
• 3D point cloud of x,y,z
coordinates
– Topographic surface
• Plus Intensity; strength of
returned laser beam
– Surface materials
– Moisture content
• Massive datasets
– Hundreds of millions of
points
– Resolution 15cm – 2m
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
Framework Freeviewer
• An open source GIS
viewer
– Complete application for
working with data from
Framework Archaeology
• Award winning!
• Dissemination of
additional Framework
Archaeology project
datasets
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
Geocommons
• Place to upload and store spatial data (Finder!)
– View in GoogleMaps, Virtual Earth
– Download as shapefile, KML, etc
• Application for making maps and working with spatial data (Maker!)
• Sharing and community
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
Stonehenge laser scanning
• Laser scan data can be
incorporated into same
spatial framework
– GPS/TST control
– Topographic survey
– Airbourne LiDAR
• Visualisation
• Surface Analysis
– New carvings
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
Smartnet GPS
• Partnership between Ordnance
Survey and GPS providers
• High precision (centimetric)
GPS
– Millimetric with post-
processing as required
• Differential signals received
over GSM/GPRS
– No need for base station at
known location; turn on and
go
– Uses active base stations
around the country to create
virtual baselines
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
Stonehenge mobile tour
• Part of our Outreach activities
• Uses a Keyhole Markup
Language (KML) file containing
stops on the tour
– Includes information about
each stop on the tour
– Includes links to external
sources of info eg Wilts SMR
and Wikipedia
• KML file mounted on the
Internet, accessed using web
browser on a mobile phone
– www.tinyurl.com/shenge
• Presented using Google Maps
Mobile on mobile devices or
Google Earth for larger devices
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008

Wessex Archaeology
fin
p.cripps@wessexarch.co.uk
www.wessexarch.co.uk
http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/ Computer Applications in Archaeology Seminar Series, University of Southampton – November 2008