Ancient Architecture and Spatial Technology: A Global Perspective

Spatial technology is our primary tool for in-field and remote recording of ancient architecture. Advances in our ability to detect and record architecture as part of the archaeological record have come from greater access to high precision surveying instruments and a variety of remote sensing techniques, including laser scanning. In turn, spatial modeling to perform analyses and create 3D representations can provide insights in to the past. Since architecture is used as a metric to reconstruct social organization, identity, and other key elements of the past, it is crucial that we engage the question of how advances in spatial technology have shaped the ways in which we investigate and interpret architecture in the archaeological record. The purpose of this symposium is to bring together case studies and regional reviews that reflect on the myriad of ways we study ancient architecture. The geographical and temporal scope of the session is purposefully broad to encourage dialog between different regions and research problems.