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Archaeological Interest (archaeological + interest)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Earth and Environmental Science	75%

Selected Abstracts

Contiguous multi-proxy analyses (X-radiography, diatom, pollen, and microcharcoal) of Holocene archaeological features at Kuk Swamp, Upper Wahgi Valley, Papua New Guinea

GEOARCHAEOLOGY: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009
Tim Denham
Contiguous multi-proxy analyses (X-radiography, diatom, pollen, and microcharcoal) have been conducted on the fills of early, mid-, and mid-late Holocene features at Kuk Swamp, Upper Wahgi Valley, Papua New Guinea. The features are associated with key periods of archaeological interest: plant exploitation (ca. 10,000 cal yr B.P.), earliest cultivation (6950,6440 cal yr B.P.), and earliest ditches (ca. 4000 cal yr B.P.). The analyses are designed to clarify uncertainties regarding the reliability and association of different samples within feature fills for the interpretation of human activities on the wetland in the past. Methodologically, these investigations have clarified site formation processes, including pedogenesis within feature fills, which enable a better determination of archaeological associations for different samples within those fills. Substantively, the results provide higher resolution interpretations of paleoenvironments and past human activities on the wetland margin. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]

Digital Surface Development of Large Cylindrical and Conical Structures With a Single-Image Technique

THE PHOTOGRAMMETRIC RECORD, Issue 97 2001
Iliana Theodoropoulou
Normally, regular surfaces of architectural or archaeological interest can be accurately mapped with single-image techniques. Whenever possible, such surfaces are developed digitally, or they are presented as suitable cartographic projections. This paper describes the raster development of two large towers, one conical and one cylindrical, with heights of 19m and 12 m, and diameters of approximately 10m and 8m, respectively. The towers, dating from circa 300 BC, are situated on Greek islands and are accessible only on foot. The first tower was imaged from its surrounding hills with several lenses, including powerful telephoto lenses. The other tower was recorded from up to 9m above ground level by means of a modified fishing rod carrying a lightweight 35mm camera. All the non-metric photographs, taken at a negative scale of approximately 1:350 which allowed an overall accuracy of 3 cm to 4 cm to be achieved, were developed digitally and then mosaicked. The raster products are described and discussed. [source]

Detection of possible archaeological pathways in central Mexico through digital processing of remote sensing images

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION, Issue 2 2005
Denisse Argote-Espino
Abstract Many spaceborne multispectral images have been developed recently and applied in archaeology as they provide useful data, which can be digitized, manipulated and integrated. Principal component decomposition (PCD), texture segmentation and linear pattern detection through spatial filtering are useful techniques that provide a new way of processing satellite images in addition to traditional techniques. Such methods may supply more accurate information of an area, in particular a region of archaeological interest. In this paper we applied a new alternative method based on the techniques mentioned above to an important area of central Mexico. The region of study is located to the southwest of Las Cruces Range between the Mexico Basin and the Toluca Valley. Processing a multispectral image from that area, it was possible to detect possible communication corridors, which provided cultural and commercial linking to the ancient settlers of both adjacent basins. This information is very important for understanding the way these people interacted in the past and the commercial importance that could exist between them. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Application of magnetic and spectrometry methods in the detection of human activity in soils: a case study at the archaeological site of Kitros (Northern Greece)

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION, Issue 3 2001
E. V. Aidona
Abstract In the present study the archaeological site of (Louloudies,Kitros) (northern Greece) is investigated by the use of magnetic and spectrometry geophysical methods. Soil samples were collected from several trenches within the archaeological site, as well as from radial traverses around kilns, which were used for glass production. Moreover, samples were collected from a long traverse, starting from the middle of the archaeological site and extending outside the site, in order to identify the limits of the settlement. Measurements were successful in identifying the different occupation levels and the boundaries of the archaeological site. High values of magnetic susceptibility and iron oxide content correlated well with the periods of intense human activity. Around the kilns, the mean values of the magnetic susceptibility indicated the effect of the fire mechanism in the surrounding area and gave some first evidence concerning the use of the kilns. Comparison of the magnetic and chemical properties of the anthropogenic soils suggests that their enhancement may be used as an index for locating areas and features of archaeological interest. Additionally, archaeomagnetic data have been obtained from a pottery and a glass kiln of the site. The magnetic directions (D = 355°, I = 62°, a95 = 3.6 and D = 356°, I = 51°, a95 = 2.3) were correlated to the reference curves compiled for Bulgaria and showed a satisfactory consistency for the declination, but the inclination values of the recorded magnetic field were divergent by about 10°. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]