Using 3D Laser and 3D Sonar as Tools for Mapping, Analyzing Site Formation Processes, and Long Term Monitoring of Shipwrecks

Summary

3D imaging creates a permanent digital record that allows scientists to study minute site details and also serves an important outreach role by allowing the public to virtually explore archaeological resources. While 3D imaging of archaeological sites using laser and lidar is a growing trend in terrestrial archaeology, its application in marine archaeology has only recently emerged. Marine archaeologists are now beginning to use 3D laser- and sonar-derived models as new tools for interpreting shipwreck sites and analyzing site formation processes in the marine environment. Using the sub-centimeter accurate 3D laser/sonar data collected repeatedly at the same site over time in conjunction with traditional diver collected or remotely sensed data, archaeologists can better quantitatively analyze the changes occurring on a site. Collectively, these datasets can provide important information to archaeologists and submerged cultural resource managers about site stability versus continual degradation as well as changes in sediment deposition. As an example, discussions of the results of a Bureau of Ocean Energy Management-funded study employing 3D imaging of deepwater shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico to study anthropogenic impacts will demonstrate how this technology can assist with long term monitoring efforts.

SAA 2015 abstracts made available in tDAR courtesy of the Society for American Archaeology and Center for Digital Antiquity Collaborative Program to improve digital data in archaeology. If you are the author of this presentation you may upload your paper, poster, presentation, or associated data (up to 3 files/30MB) for free. Please visit http://www.tdar.org/SAA2015 for instructions and more information.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

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

Keywords

Spatial Coverage