scholarly journals DISTRIBUIÇÃO ESPACIAL E ARQUEOLOGIA DA PAISAGEM: O Sítio Arqueológico El Socorro, um Padrão Atípico Mesoamericano

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Pedro Jiménez Lara ◽  
Carlos Fabiano Marques de Lima

O presente texto surgiu como um desafio, a análise de um assentamento mesoamericano pré-hispânico, denominado El Socorro, localizado próximo a cidade de Tlacojalpan em Veracruz, México, região do Golfo da Mesoamerica. A realização de uma abordagem contextual dos sítios arqueológicos, numa perspectiva intra e extra sítio, num primeiro momento fazendo uso de ferramentas de geoprocessamento e de procedimentos topográficos com estação total. Optamos nesse texto utilizar como substrato para nossas observações e avaliação das imagens de satélite, desenhos topográficos e dados arqueológicos dos sítios pré-hispânicos uma abordagem centrada na arqueologia da paisagem para uma identificação em superficie mas ampla do sitio dentro do contexto regional e mesoamericano. Um analisis complexo por tratarse de um sitio excepcional pela distribuçao e forma como foi construído. SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND LANDSCAPE ARCHEOLOGY: The Socorro Archaeological Site, The El Socorro Archaeological Site, an Atypical Mesoamerican PatternABSTRACTThe present text appeared as a challenge, the analysis of a pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican settlement, named El Socorro, located near the city of Tlacojalpan in Veracruz, Mexico. region of the Gulf of Mesoamerica. The realization of a contextual approach of archaeological sites, in an intra and extra-site perspective, at first using geoprocessing tools and topographic procedures. We chose to use as substrate for our observations and evaluation of satellite images, topographical drawings and archaeological data of the prehispanic sites, an approach centered on landscape archeology for a broader surface identification of the site within the regional and Mesoamerican context. A complex analysis because it is an exceptional site for the distribution and the way it was buil.Keywords: El Socorro; Mesoamerica; Archaeological Site; Landscape 

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sawyer Reid stippa ◽  
George Petropoulos ◽  
Leonidas Toulios ◽  
Prashant K. Srivastava

Archaeological site mapping is important for both understanding the history as well as protecting them from excavation during the developmental activities. As archaeological sites generally spread over a large area, use of high spatial resolution remote sensing imagery is becoming increasingly applicable in the world. The main objective of this study was to map the land cover of the Itanos area of Crete and of its changes, with specific focus on the detection of the landscape’s archaeological features. Six satellite images were acquired from the Pleiades and WorldView-2 satellites over a period of 3 years. In addition, digital photography of two known archaeological sites was used for validation. An Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA) classification was subsequently developed using the five acquired satellite images. Two rule-sets were created, one using the standard four bands which both satellites have and another for the two WorldView-2 images their four extra bands included. Validation of the thematic maps produced from the classification scenarios confirmed a difference in accuracy amongst the five images. Comparing the results of a 4-band rule-set versus the 8-band showed a slight increase in classification accuracy using extra bands. The resultant classifications showed a good level of accuracy exceeding 70%. Yet, separating the archaeological sites from the open spaces with little or no vegetation proved challenging. This was mainly due to the high spectral similarity between rocks and the archaeological ruins. The satellite data spatial resolution allowed for the accuracy in defining larger archaeological sites, but still was a difficulty in distinguishing smaller areas of interest. The digital photography data provided a very good 3D representation for the archaeological sites, assisting as well in validating the satellite-derived classification maps. All in all, our study provided further evidence that use of high resolution imagery may allow for archaeological sites to be located, but only where they are of a suitable size archaeological features.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 2719
Author(s):  
Nicodemo Abate ◽  
Alessia Frisetti ◽  
Federico Marazzi ◽  
Nicola Masini ◽  
Rosa Lasaponara

Unmanned aerial vehicles are currently the most used solution for cultural heritage in the field of close range and low altitude acquisitions. This work shows data acquired by multitemporal and multispectral aerial surveys in the archaeological site of San Vincenzo al Volturno (Molise, Italy). The site is one of the most important medieval archaeological sites in the world. It is a monastic settlement that was particularly rich during the early Middle Ages, and is famous for its two full-frescoed crypts which represent a milestone in the history of medieval art. Thanks to the use of multispectral aerial photography at different times of the year, an area not accessible to archaeological excavation has been investigated. To avoid redundancy of information and reduce the number of data to be analysed, a method based on spectral and radiometric enhancement techniques combined with a selective principal component analysis was used for the identification of useful information. The combination of already published archaeological data and new remote sensing discoveries, has allowed to better define the situation of the abbey during the building phases of the 8th/9th century and 11th century, confirming and adding new data to the assumptions made by archaeologists.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-260
Author(s):  
Adnan Almohamad

AbstractThe Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) occupied the city of Manbij and its countryside from 23 January 2014 until 12 August 2016. During this period, the region suffered greatly as ISIS monopolized control and brutally imposed its ideology. Fierce battles were fought for the control of oil wells, bakeries, mills, dams, and power stations, all of which were sources of revenue. Antiquities were soon recognized as another potential income source. This article demonstrates the ways in which ISIS began to administer and facilitate the looting of antiquities through the Diwan Al-Rikaz. Within this diwan, ISIS established the Qasmu Al-Athar, which was specifically responsible for looting antiquities. Based on interviews conducted in 2015 and primary documents, this article studies the specific ways in which ISIS facilitated the quarrying and looting of antiquities in Manbij and the rich archaeological sites of its countryside. Further, by examining the damage at a previously undocumented archaeological site, Meshrefet Anz, the looting of antiquities under the direct supervision of the Diwan Al-Rikaz is studied. Using documentary evidence including ISIS’s internal documentation as well as photographs collected by the author between 2014 and 2016, the article demonstrates the methods used by ISIS, reveals its financial motivations, and bears witness to the damage done at specific Syrian heritage sites.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-257
Author(s):  
І. V. Zotsenko

The material and archaeological context of the research of Architectural and Archaeological Expedition of the IA NAS of Ukraine in 2016—2017 are considered in the paper. The group of sites dating to the 11th—13th centuries is located in the southern part of Kyiv named Feofania. This archaeological complex includes the hill-fort and three settlements. The officers of the Kyiv Archaeology Department Dr. O. Manigda and V. Kryzhanovsky made the surveying of the site. The exploration in 2016—2017 is connected with the construction of residential complex on the territory of settlement 2. Due to it the large area of the settlement — 2850 m2 — was discovered and explored. During the excavations 55 archaeological sites of Old Rus time were discovered. Among them are the residential and industrial buildings, outbuildings. The latter includes the object with a complex of adobe kilns (such structures have a very few analogies). The large number of archaeological material was collected among which are the items with the city nomenclature. Paleobotanical remains are distinguished in a separate numerous category of material. The traces of two fires have been occurred at the settlement. If the second fire is related to the collapse of the settlement during the Tatar-Mongol invasion (1240), the first one dates to the end of 11th — beginning of the 12th century, and the reason of it is unknown. Summing up the previous results, it is possible to refer the settlements No. 2 to the type of settlements privately owned by representatives of the feudal class. The group settlements and the hill-fort formed the block-post controlling the way to Kyiv from the south. In addition to Medieval antiquities the number of finds and objects of the Late Bronze — Early Iron Ages, as well as three burials of the late 18th—19th centuries, which apparently related to the cemetery of Saint Panteleimon Monastery, were discovered.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1672
Author(s):  
Emanuele Angiuli ◽  
Epifanio Pecharromán ◽  
Pablo Vega Ezquieta ◽  
Maria Gorzynska ◽  
Ionut Ovejanu

During the last decades, archaeological site looting throughout Iraq has increased significantly up to a point where some of the most famous and relevant ancient Mesopotamian cities are currently threatened in their integrity. Several important archaeological monuments and artifacts have been destroyed, due to ISIL attacks and associated looting. Since 2016, the policies of the European Union have been increasingly harsh to condemn these atrocious acts of destruction. In such a scenario, the European Union Satellite Centre can be an invaluable instrument for the identification and assessment of the damage in areas occupied by ISIL. A detailed view of the damage suffered by the Nineveh and Nebi Yunus ancient sites, in Iraq, was assessed via visual inspection. The analysis was conducted considering the main events that occurred in the city of Mosul, between November 2013 and March 2018. More than 25 satellite images, new acquisitions and archived, supported by collateral data, allowed the detection and classification of the damage occurred over time. A description of the methodology and the classification of category and type of damage is presented. The results of the analysis confirm the dramatic levels of destruction that these two ancient sites have been suffering since 2013. The analysis reported in this paper is part of a wider study that the SatCen conducted in cooperation with the EU Counter-Terrorism Office and PRISM Office. The whole activity aimed at confirming to EU institutions the massive looting and trafficking operated in the area. The results have been provided to archaeologists in the field as well in support of local authorities who are trying to evaluate the current situation in the area.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1884
Author(s):  
Athos Agapiou

Urban sprawl can negatively impact the archaeological record of an area. In order to study the urbanisation process and its patterns, satellite images were used in the past to identify land-use changes and detect individual buildings and constructions. However, this approach involves the acquisition of high-resolution satellite images, the cost of which is increases according to the size of the area under study, as well as the time interval of the analysis. In this paper, we implemented a quick, automatic and low-cost exploration of large areas, for addressing this purpose, aiming to provide at a medium resolution of an overview of the landscape changes. This study focuses on using radar Sentinel-1 images to monitor and detect multi-temporal changes during the period 2015–2020 in Limassol, Cyprus. In addition, the big data cloud platform, Google Earth Engine, was used to process the data. Three different change detection methods were implemented in this platform as follow: (a) vertical transmit, vertical receive (VV) and vertical transmit, horizontal receive (VH) polarisations pseudo-colour composites; (b) the Rapid and Easy Change Detection in Radar Time-Series by Variation Coefficient (REACTIV) Google Earth Engine algorithm; and (c) a multi-temporal Wishart-based change detection algorithm. The overall findings are presented for the wider area of the Limassol city, with special focus on the archaeological site of “Amathus” and the city centre of Limassol. For validation purposes, satellite images from the multi-temporal archive from the Google Earth platform were used. The methods mentioned above were able to capture the urbanization process of the city that has been initiated during this period due to recent large construction projects.


Author(s):  
D. Ebolese ◽  
G. Dardanelli ◽  
M. Lo Brutto ◽  
R. Sciortino

The survey of archaeological sites by appropriate geomatics technologies is an important research topic. In particular, the 3D survey by terrestrial laser scanning has become a common practice for 3D archaeological data collection. Even if terrestrial laser scanning survey is quite well established, due to the complexity of the most archaeological contexts, many issues can arise and make the survey more difficult.<br> The aim of this work is to describe the methodology chosen for a terrestrial laser scanning survey in a complex archaeological environment according to the issues related to the particular structure of the site. The developed approach was used for the terrestrial laser scanning survey and documentation of a part of the archaeological site of Elaiussa Sebaste in Turkey. The proposed technical solutions have allowed providing an accurate and detailed 3D dataset of the study area. In addition, further products useful for archaeological analysis were also obtained from the 3D dataset of the study area.


Author(s):  
J. Angás ◽  
P. Uribe ◽  
E. Ariño ◽  
J. M. Gurt ◽  
V. Martínez-Ferreras ◽  
...  

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> This paper presents the preliminary results obtained during the 3D recording campaign carried out in 2018 by the Spanish-Uzbek IPAEB mission in the archaeological site of Termez (southern border of Uzbekistan). Ancient Termez is an important historical city within the Silk Road located in the ancient Bactria region. The archaeological work performed at the site since the beginning of the 20<sup>th</sup> century allowed a large fortified urban complex to be identified that includes other walled enclosures inside it, i.e., a Hellenistic- Seleucid fortress founded after the campaigns of Alexander the Great in the late 4<sup>th</sup> century BC, several Buddhist monastic complexes dated to the Kushan period (1<sup>st</sup> to mid-3<sup>rd</sup> centuries), and a large urban settlement dated to the Islamic period which includes the city proper or <i>shahristan</i> and the suburbs or <i>rabad</i>. After the destruction by Genghis Khan in 1220, Termez was rebuilt following a different plan. Major changes involved the movement of the pottery workshops from the <i>rabad</i> to the previous <i>shahristan</i>. The research focuses on: a) the identification, study and archaeological contextualization of ceramic production centres located in different areas of the ancient Termez from the Kushan to the Islamic period (1st to 14th centuries AD); b) the integration of the pottery workshops into the general topography of the site and c) the study of their evolution in relation to the transformation of the urban design. Since the site is currently located in a military area – close to the border area between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan –, the archaeological work is restricted to specific zones and the use of aerial devices such as drones is forbidden. However, this research requires both micro and macro spatial approaches to accurately record all the archaeological structures and to evaluate the integration and evolution of the pottery workshops into the general topography of the city. In order to fill this gap, declassified images of the CORONA satellite program were analyzed and compared to historical and archaeological data. In addition, we propose a geometrical and graphical recording and distribution system of the kilns – located in the <i>rabad</i> and the <i>shahristan</i> – and the ceramics produced and used in Termez during the period studied by means of photogrammetric techniques. The results are aimed at management through open-source 3D formats and web mapping GIS libraries combined with historical satellite information that defines the different archaeological areas.</p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-104
Author(s):  
Alina Daniela Brodner (Cojinovschi) ◽  
Eugen Rusu

Abstract In the last few years, Romania’s forests have become one of the most interesting and most talked about topics for an increasing number of researchers from the most varied fields, both nationally and internationally. The present study aims at analyzing as accurately as possible the forests of Iasi County, especially forests with primary functions of protection, following the changes occurred after 1990 and the way these affected the functional framing of the forests and their state. This research has been accomplished based on precise statistical data collected from every region (or forestry district), these in turn being matched with maps, satellite images and aerial imagery.


Heritage ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 184-206
Author(s):  
Jorge Pinho ◽  
Susana Henriques

Iron Age studies are scarce for the city of Coimbra, besides the findings from the Machado Castro Museum, and therefore this intervention has revealed an important heritage collection. The recovered artefacts, which can be associated with the indigenous world, reveal regional parallels with Conimbriga, the Aeminium Forum and Lomba do Canho. There is clear evidence of region-wide homogenisation of pottery morphologies, surface treatments and production processes. A structure dated from the period of the Roman emperor Augustus aligned with the steep natural geological profile, with unobstructed views over the Mondego river, was found in the interior of a medieval defensive wall, making it possible to deconstruct the chronological periods of the locale, which is consistent with an Iron Age occupation, since at least the second century B.C. More importantly, it is necessary to understand the spatial contextualisation of this archaeological site through morphological analysis of the pottery in a local and regional context and comprehend the chronological hiatus and settlement between the archaeological sites located in the estuary mouth, from other sites found upstream along the Mondego river.


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