Drone-based magnetometer prospection for archaeology

Stele, Andreas; Kaub, Leon; Linck, Roland; Schikorra, Markus; Fassbinder, Jörg W.E.

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2023.105818

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 13 publications

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“…Planning and interpretation of airborne magnetometer missions would be impossible without the support of a DEM and orthophotos. Standards for aerial magnetometry are currently still in the making, but significant progress is being made [49]. The thermal imagery proved to be useful in independently confirming the anomalies based on a different characteristic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Remotely Sensing the Invisible—Thermal and Magnetic Survey Data Integration for Landscape Archaeology

Blochin,

Pavlovskaia,

Sadykov

et al. 2023

Remote Sensing

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Archaeological landscapes can be obscured by environmental factors, rendering conventional visual interpretation of optical data problematic. The absence of evidence can lead to seemingly empty locations and isolated monuments. This, in turn, influences the cultural–historical interpretation of archaeological sites. Here, we assess the potential of integrating thermal and magnetic remote sensing methods in the detection and mapping of buried archaeological structures. The area of interest in an alluvial plain in Tuva Republic makes the application of standard methods like optical remote sensing and field walking impractical, as natural vegetation features effectively hide anthropogenic structures. We combined drone-based aerial thermography and airborne and ground-based magnetometry to establish an approach to reliably identifying stone structures concealed within alluvial soils. The data integration led to the discovery of nine buried archaeological structures in proximity to an Early Iron Age royal tomb, shedding light on ritual land use continuity patterns.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Remotely Sensing the Invisible—Thermal and Magnetic Survey Data Integration for Landscape Archaeology

Blochin,

Pavlovskaia,

Sadykov

et al. 2023

Remote Sensing

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Contributions of Multi‐Method Geophysical Survey to Archaeological Research at the Battlefield of Waterloo

Williams,

Bosquet,

Pollard

et al. 2024

Archaeological Prospection

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Archaeological prospection is continually expanding into new frontiers, examining increasingly large areas, diverse environmental contexts and varying site types. One area that has received only limited focus is historic battlefields. This paper presents results from large‐scale geophysical surveys (> 100 ha) at the Napoleonic battlefield of Waterloo (1815) in Belgium, using fluxgate magnetometry and frequency‐domain electromagnetic induction. Despite its international historical significance, professional archaeological research at the battlefield is still in its infancy. We demonstrate how important insights can be gained by using geophysical methods for identifying features and artefacts related to the battle and for developing an understanding of the various influences acting on the present landscape. The largest survey of its kind undertaken on a single battlefield site, this approach holds particular potential for battlefield archaeology, given the subtle and low‐density nature of the sought‐after targets and the extensive area of the site. Such an approach can mitigate (though not entirely resolve) challenges of resolution and scale associated with other methods of investigation. Using a representative range of examples from Waterloo, we consider successes and challenges in undertaking geophysical surveys on battlefield sites. An integrated approach that incorporates targeted sampling and other forms of ancillary data is emphasized for a more robust interpretation of noninvasive sensor data.

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Towards drone-based magnetometer measurements for archaeological prospection in challenging terrain

Schmidt,

Coolen,

Fritsch

et al. 2024

Drone Syst. Appl.

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While airborne magnetometry has been used for geological surveys for decades, magnetic surveys for archaeological prospection are almost exclusively ground-based, as the detection of archaeological features requires higher spatial resolution and close proximity between sensor and object. However, the recent development of drones and magnetic sensors allows for low-altitude drone-based surveys, which are an interesting alternative for magnetic prospection of challenging areas, where vegetation, difficult terrain, access restrictions, or safety concerns hamper ground-based surveys. In this paper, we present test measurements in challenging areas in Germany and Switzerland, which demonstrate the potential as well as technical and practical concerns of drone-based magnetometry for archaeological prospection. We used a miniature total-field magnetometer, which was tethered to an octocopter drone. Although it is preferable to fly the sensor close to the ground where anomalies show the highest values, we could also detect magnetic anomalies in altitudes up to few meters above ground. Flights at different altitudes show the decay and widening of the anomalies with height. Drone-based magnetic measurements in rough and vegetated terrain require careful flight planning based on a high-resolution surface model. Further development is needed to improve positioning accuracy of the tethered magnetometer and to improve heading error correction.

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Drone-based magnetometer prospection for archaeology

Cited by 5 publications

References 13 publications

Remotely Sensing the Invisible—Thermal and Magnetic Survey Data Integration for Landscape Archaeology

Remotely Sensing the Invisible—Thermal and Magnetic Survey Data Integration for Landscape Archaeology

Contributions of Multi‐Method Geophysical Survey to Archaeological Research at the Battlefield of Waterloo

Towards drone-based magnetometer measurements for archaeological prospection in challenging terrain

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