3D Acquisition of Archaeological Ceramics and Web-Based 3D Data Storage

Motivated by the requirements of modern archaeology, we are developing an automated system for archaeological classification and reconstruction of ceramics. The goal is to create a tool that satisfies the criteria of accuracy, performance (findings/hour), robustness, transportability, overall costs, and careful handling of the findings. Following our previous work, we present new achievements on the documentation steps for 3D acquisition, 3D data processing, and 3D reconstruction. We have improved our system so that it can handle large quantities of ceramic fragments efficiently and computes a more robust orientation of a fragment. In order to store the sherd data acquired and hold all the information necessary to reconstruct a complete vessel, a database for archaeological fragments was developed. We will demonstrate practical experiments and results undertaken onsite at different excavations in Israel and Peru

Jebel Moya (Sudan): new dates from a mortuary complex at the southern Meroitic frontier

This paper proposes a new chronology for the burial complex at Jebel Moya, south-central Sudan. It reassesses the body of evidence from Sir Henry Wellcome's original 1911–1914 excavations in order to place the site within a firm chronological framework by: (a) applying an attribute-based approach to discern discrete pottery assemblages; and (b) applying initial OSL dates to facilitate the reliable dating of this site for the first time. Jebel Moya is re-interpreted as a burial complex situated on the southern periphery of the late Meroitic state, and its potential to serve as a chronological and cultural reference point for future studies in south-central and southern Sudan is outlined

Insights into manufacturing techniques of archaeological pottery: Industrial X-ray computed tomography as a tool in the examination of cultural material

The application of X-radiography in ceramic studies is becoming an increasingly valued method. Using the potential of industrial X-ray computed tomography (CT) for non-destructive testing as an archaeometric or archaeological method in pottery studies, especially regarding aspects such as manufacturing techniques or pottery abrics, requires controlled data-acquisition and post-processing by scientific computing adjusted to archaeological issues. The first results of this evaluation project show that, despite the difficulties inherent in CT technology, considerable information can be extracted for pottery analysis. The application of surface morphology reconstructions and volumetric measurements based on CT data will open a new field in future non-invasive archaeology

Optical 3D measurement techniques in archaeology: recent developments and applications

This paper is intended to give an overview on current surveying techniques that use remotely sensed data, and their applications in archaeology. The focus is on optical 3D measurement techniques based on image and range sensors. Data and methods are briefly reviewed, whereas data processing and related problems are only touched on in passing. For the purpose of this review we distinguish three scales of archaeological research at which the surveying techniques discussed here can be applied: (1) the regional scale, to record the topography of archaeological landscapes and to detect and map archaeological features, (2) the local scale, to record smaller sites and their architecture and excavated features, and (3) the object scale, to record artefacts and excavated finds

Archaeological, Geophysical, and Geospatial Analysis at David Crockett Birthplace State Park, in Upper East Tennessee

A geophysical survey was conducted at David Crockett Birthplace State Park (40GN205, 40GN12) using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetometry. The data indicated multiple levels of occupation that were investigated by Phase II and Phase III archaeological excavations. New cultural components were discovered, including the remnants of a Protohistoric Native American structure containing European glass trade beads and Middle Woodland artifacts that suggest trade with Hopewell groups from Ohio. A circular Archaic hearth was uncovered at one meter below surface and similar deep anomalies were seen in the GPR data at this level. A semi-automated object-based image analysis (OBIA) was implemented to extract Archaic circular hearths from GPR depth slices using user-defined spatial parameters (depth, area, perimeter, length to width ratio, and circularity index) followed by manual interpretation. This approach successfully identified sixteen probable hearths distributed across the site in a semi-clustered pattern

Marine Archaeology Survey In Support Of Lavaca Bay Reef Project Calhoun County, Texas

BOB Hydrographics, LLC (BOB) conducted a marine archaeological survey of a proposed oyster reef restoration site in Lavaca Bay, Texas. This project, sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, spans portions of State Mineral Lease Tracts 17A and 20A in Calhoun County. The area of potential effect (APE) proposed for reefing is 30 acres. A total of 50 acres was surveyed, including a 50- meter buffer around the APE. Water depth averages 5 feet. Reefing will require placement of a substrate, such as oyster shell, clam shell, limestone, river-rock or crushed concrete, on the seafloor to provide a hard surface for attachment of oysters. Field investigations included a marine geophysical survey, performed under Texas Antiquities Permit 8004, on May 31, 2017. An archaeological assessment was conducted of all data acquired by the survey. The purpose of BOB’s survey was to locate potential archaeological sites that would be affected by reefing-related activities. No artifacts were collected during this survey. A review of cultural background determined that 5 marine archaeological investigations, one desktop study, and, at least, 18 wrecks have been reported within 3 miles of the APE. Analysis of geophysical survey results from this survey discovered one target potentially eligible for the State Antiquities Landmark or for the National Register of Historic Places. Anomaly 1 is recommended for avoidance. This study was completed in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Public Law 89-665; 16 U.S.C. 470) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 9, Chapter 191). The minimum reporting and survey requirements for marine archaeological studies conducted under a Texas Antiquities Permit are mandated by The Texas Administrative Code, Title 13, Part 2, Chapters 26 and 28, respectively. Project records are curated at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Austin

Object-Based Image Analysis of Ground-Penetrating Radar Data for Archaic Hearths

Object-based image analysis (OBIA) has been increasingly used to identify terrain features of archaeological sites, but only recently to extract subsurface archaeological features from geophysical data. In this study, we use a semi-automated OBIA to identify Archaic (8000-1000 BC) hearths from Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) data collected at David Crockett Birthplace State Park in eastern Tennessee in the southeastern United States. The data were preprocessed using GPR-SLICE, Surfer, and Archaeofusion software, and amplitude depth slices were selected that contained anomalies ranging from 0.80 to 1.20 m below surface (BS). Next, the data were segmented within ESRI ArcMap GIS software using a global threshold and, after vectorization, classified using four attributes: area, perimeter, length-to-width ratio, and Circularity Index. The user-defined parameters were based on an excavated Archaic circular hearth found at a depth greater than one meter, which consisted of fire-cracked rock and had a diameter greater than one meter. These observations were in agreement with previous excavations of hearths at the site. Features that had a high probability of being Archaic hearths were further delineated by human interpretation from radargrams and then ground-truthed by auger testing. The semi-automated OBIA successfully predicted 15 probable Archaic hearths at depths ranging from 0.85 to 1.20 m BS. Observable spatial clustering of hearths may indicate episodes of seasonal occupation by small mobile groups during the Archaic Period