Using Digital Mapping Techniques to Rapidly Document Vulnerable Historical Landscapes in New Orleans, Louisiana

Summary

With the oncoming threat that climate change poses upon New Orleans, the documentation of historic spaces becomes critically important.  This project aims to promote new methods of cataloging and visualizing the historic character, unique landscapes, and research potential of culturally significant sites so that they may be accessible to future generations, using Holt Cemetery as a case study.  Our process combines GIS, Unmanned Aerial Systems, GPS, and traditional cemetery survey techniques to create an interactive digital map that can be used as a tool as well as an exhibition of burial traditions in threatened landscapes. We will be presenting an adaptive management strategy which demonstrates a quick, affordable, scalable, and accurate means of historical documentation which provides a multi-dimensional resource which can be utilized and shared by researchers as well as the public.  

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• New Orleans Archaeology at the Tricentennial   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 976