Digital Navigator on the Seas of the Selden Map of China : Sequential Least-Cost Path Analysis Using Dynamic Wind Data

Correction: 10.1007/s10816-021-09538-2.During the age of sail-powered ships, the maritime trade networks of Southeast Asia were highly cyclical in nature due to the biannually switching wind directions of the East Asian Monsoon. The Selden Map of China provides us with a glimpse of these connections in the early seventeenth century, and it is drawn in a unique way that allows the sailing durations between ports to be measured. In this paper, a novel method of simulating directed sail-powered voyages is developed. The method utilizes ArcGIS Pro's functionality through Python macros, and unlike the previous least-cost path (LCP) sailing models, it is based on sequential LCP analysis using dynamic real-time series wind data. The optimized routes and sailing durations generated by the macros are then compared against the Selden map. In general, the model performs reasonably well in favourable winds, but is unable to simulate tacking properly in adverse conditions. The results allow the visualization of wind patterns in terms of time spent at sea and demonstrate the inherent natural rhythm of maritime movement and trade in the South China Sea region. The macros are freely available and can be modified to simulate directed sailing in other time periods, localities, and environmental settings.Peer reviewe

Åter till Bartsgårda och Björn Cederhvarfs järnålder

Peer reviewe

COMPRENDIENDO LA DETECCIÓN DE METALES Y LA ARQUEOLOGÍA EN FINLANDIA

The use of the metal detector in archaeology, and the relationships between metal detecting enthusiasts and archaeologists, has been long discussed and analysed in different contexts. The tool itself is acknowledged to be a useful prospecting device for use in archaeological fieldwork, and yet it has often attracted controversy in academic and professional archaeologi- cal circles due to its popularity with artefact-hunting hobbyists. In this paper, we discuss the emerging trends of metal detector use in Finland. This includes what is known about the hobbyist metal detector enthusiasts and their motivations, the extent of collaboration (or clashes) with archaeologists, and the current and potential use of metal detectors within archaeological fieldwork."El uso de detectores de metales en arqueología, y la relación entre los aficionados a la detección de metales y los arqueólogos, ha sido ampliamente discutida y analizada en diferentes contextos. Se reconoce la utilidad de la propia herramienta como útil instrumento para la prospección en el trabajo de campo arqueológico, sin  embargo,  a  menudo  ha  atraído  contro- versia en círculos académicos y de arqueólogos profesionales debido a su popularidad con entusiastas de la búsqueda de objetos [arqueológicos].En este artículo, tratamos las emergentes tendencias en el uso de aparatos detectores de metales en Finlandia. Esto incluye qué se conoce sobre los usuarios no profesionales de los aparatos detectores de metales y sus motivaciones, el grado de colaboración (o conflictos) con los arqueólogos, y el actual y potencial uso de los detectores de metales dentro del trabajo de"campo arqueológico.

"Traces of our ancient religion". Meaning-making and Shamanism at Sami Offering Places at the Isogaisa Festival, Northern Norway

In 2010, the first shaman festival to be held in the Nordic countries opened its doors to the public in the county of Lavangen, Northern Norway (Fig. 1). The festival is named Isogaisa and presented as an indigenous festival highlighting the spiritual traditions of indigenous people. At this annual festival, shamans from all over the world gather to perform ceremonies and exchange knowledge

Understanding metal detecting and archaeology in Finland

The use of the metal detector in archaeology, and the relationships between metal detecting enthusiasts and archaeologists, has been long discussed and analysed in different contexts. The tool itself is acknowledged to be a useful prospecting device for use in archaeological fieldwork, and yet it has often attracted controversy in academic and professional archaeological circles due to its popularity with artefact-hunting hobbyists. I n this paper, we discuss the emerging trends of metal detector use in Finland. This includes what is known about the hobbyist metal detector enthusiasts and their motivations, the extent of collaboration (or clashes) with archaeologists, and the current and potential use of metal detectors within archaeological fieldwork.Peer reviewe

Sensing Archaeology in the North: The Use of Non-Destructive Geophysical and Remote Sensing Methods in Archaeology in Scandinavian and North Atlantic Territories

In August 2018, a group of experts working with terrestrial/marine geophysics and remote sensing methods to explore archaeological sites in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Scotland and Sweden gathered together for the first time at the Workshop ‘Sensing Archaeology in The North’. The goal was to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and consider future directions for further developing these methods and strategies for their use in archaeology. After the event, this special journal issue was arranged to publish papers that are based on the workshop presentations, but also to incorporate work that is produced by other researchers in the field. This paper closes the special issue and further aims to provide current state-of-the-art for the methods represented by the workshop. Here, we introduce the aspects that inspired the organisation of the meeting, a summary of the 12 presentations and eight paper contributions, as well as a discussion about the main outcomes of the workshop roundtables, including the production of two searchable databases (online resources and equipment). We conclude with the position that the ‘North’, together with its unique cultural heritage and thriving research community, is at the forefront of good practice in the application and development of sensing methods in archaeological research and management. However, further method development is required, so we claim the support of funding bodies to back research efforts based on testing/experimental studies to: explore unknown survey environments and identify optimal survey conditions, as well as to monitor the preservation of archaeological remains, especially those that are at risk. It is demonstrated that remote sensing and geophysics not only have an important role in the safeguarding of archaeological sites from development and within prehistorical-historical research, but the methods can be especially useful in recording and monitoring the increased impact of climate change on sites in the North

Out of the peat : Preliminary Geophysical Prospection and Evaluation of the Mid-Holocene Stationary Wooden Fishing Structures in Haapajarvi, Finland

The huge scientific and interpretive value of wetland archaeological sites has been well demonstrated in several studies. The management of the archaeological resource of wetland landscapes is problematic, however, and there is an urgent need for noninvasive techniques to detect waterlogged organic archaeological remains. Stationary wooden fishing structures associated with fishing sites constitute an important wetland archaeological resource in northern Europe. In Finland, similar wooden constructions have been used for fishing from prehistory to the early modern era. The discovery of sites has been accidental, because the waterlogged organic remains have been considered invisible to conventional geoprospection techniques. Because of this, a small project was launched at Lamminoja, northwest Finland, in order to investigate whether it would be possible to improve our chances to detect fishery sites in demanding wetland habitats. New information was obtained through geophysical prospection, trial excavations, and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating. Geophysical testing was hampered by several factors, including complex sediments affected by modern drainage. New information was obtained, however, on the composition, age, and spatial distribution of the wooden fishing structures preserved in peat over 5000 years.Peer reviewe

Åter till Bartsgårda och Björn Cederhvarfs järnålder

Björn Cederhvarf är mest känd för sina utgrävningar på Jettböle stenåldersboplats i Jomala, men i början av 1900-talet gjorde han även undersökningar på över hundra lokaler från yngre järnålder på Åland. Trots att majoriteten av dessa aldrig avrapporterades, är det möjligt att skapa sig en uppfattning om betydelsen av hans arbete utgående från fältdokumentationen i Museiverkets arkiv. I arkivmaterialet framgår det att Cederhvarf identifierade en grupp stora järnåldersboplatser på Åland, på vilka det går att urskilja ett flertal husgrunder. Bartsgårda i Finström (Fi 2.1) är en av dessa boplatser, som även undersökts av Cederhvarf. Cirka 30 husgrunder har år 1905 märkts ut på översiktskartan över Bartsgårda. Många är ännu synliga i terrängen. Vi utförde en terrester laserskanning på lokalen, vilken visar att översiktskartan är mycket exakt. På grund av den betydande bristen på rapporter och publikationer begravdes Cederhvarfs observationer i arkivens gömmor, och har som regel inte haft möjlighet att påverka diskussionen som förts om Ålands järnålder. I artikeln återvänder vi till Cederhvarfs järnålder

The hands-on learning of practical photogrammetry for archaeology

Photogrammetric techniques have been applied in archaeology for over 140 years, but recently, automation in software has significantly increased the popularity of photogrammetry. In 2018, the Master’s Programme in Cultural Heritage at Helsinki University arranged a special intensive hands-on course on geodesy, photogrammetry and laser scanning in Greece in order to provide more in-depth practical skills to students in an inspiring environment. The course was established in co-operation with Aalto University and the Finnish Institute at Athens. In this article, we describe how practical photogrammetry can be learned on an intensive hands-on course. Hands-on experiences and experimental learning enable good practical skills and also a deeper connection and understanding of theory. We believe that the students on the course managed to add photogrammetry to their archaeological toolboxes for the rest of their careers.Peer reviewe