Using LiDAR and Relative Elevation Modeling (REM) to Identify and Analyze Archaeologically Sensitive Alluvial Landforms

Summary

Alluvial landforms are highly sensitive areas, with the potential to contain both surface exposed and buried archaeological deposits, but systematic analysis and identification of these landforms has proved problematic in the past. Although large alluvial terraces can be identified visually on topographic maps, high resolution LiDAR, and Digital Elevation Models; smaller, subtler terraces, and other complex alluvial landforms can be problematic due to stream gradient issues and resulting elevation differences along a stream alignment. On a recent project on the Lower Stillaguamish River in western Washington, we employed a new restoration and habitat modeling tool, relative elevation modeling (REM), to eliminate the gradient issue and enhance terrace rises through LiDAR slope analysis. The results have provided pronounced and enhanced visibility of subtle features, and show promise to providing adequate data to assign relative dating for sites associated with different terrace elevations on the same watercourse.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage