Bridging the Gap: Spectral and Structural Analysis of Archaeological Settlement in El Zotz, Guatemala

Summary

In the last decade, archaeologist have successfully employed active remote sensing technologies, such as LiDAR, to identify ancient settlement in the Maya lowlands. Near the site of El Zotz in northern Guatemala, this technology has aided in the identification of fortresses, terraces, and a network of raised roads. Archaeologist who employ LiDAR focus principally on the structural data acquired from the LiDAR point clouds. Building on these methodologies, we assess the benefits of incorporating both structural and spectral derived data from LiDAR sensors. Specifically, we address the use of intensity measurements attained during a 2016 flight over the northern Peten by a Titan Multispectral Mapping LiDAR. Intensity measurements are used to create multispectral datasets of above and below canopy measurements that clarify spectral properties of the archaeological landscape. These datasets allow archaeologists to assess how structural components of tropical environments (canopy height, varying vegetation, and surface elements) relate to their spectral properties. Additionally, these multispectral datasets allow researchers to regionally assess long-term effects of landscape use and change in Mesoamerica.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

Keywords

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 20331