Archaeological Surveying of Subarctic and Arctic Landscapes: Comparing the Performance of Airborne Laser Scanning and Remote Sensing Image Data

Stine Barlindhaug,Alma Elizabeth Thuestad,Ole Risbøl,Elin Rose Myrvoll,Jan Ingolf Kleppe

doi:10.3390/su13041917

Abstract

What can remote sensing contribute to archaeological surveying in subarctic and arctic landscapes? The pros and cons of remote sensing data vary as do areas of utilization and methodological approaches. We assessed the applicability of remote sensing for archaeological surveying of northern landscapes using airborne laser scanning (LiDAR) and satellite and aerial images to map archaeological features as a basis for (a) assessing the pros and cons of the different approaches and (b) assessing the potential detection rate of remote sensing. Interpretation of images and a LiDAR-based bare-earth digital terrain model (DTM) was based on visual analyses aided by processing and visualizing techniques. 368 features were identified in the aerial images, 437 in the satellite images and 1186 in the DTM. LiDAR yielded the better result, especially for hunting pits. Image data proved suitable for dwellings and settlement sites. Feature characteristics proved a key factor for detectability, both in LiDAR and image data. This study has shown that LiDAR and remote sensing image data are highly applicable for archaeological surveying in northern landscapes. It showed that a multi-sensor approach contributes to high detection rates. Our results have improved the inventory of archaeological sites in a non-destructive and minimally invasive manner.

Highlights

Remote sensing has become a very valuable resource for modern archaeology as a useful tool for finding and documenting cultural heritage sites
As some features were only detected in either the panchromatic and multispectral image, after merging results and removing double entries, visual analyses of the satellite image data resulted in a total of 437 potential archaeological features
What can remote sensing contribute to archaeological surveying in subarctic and arctic landscapes? We have proven remote sensing utilizing LiDAR data and image data to be highly applicable for archaeological surveying in these northern landscapes

Summary

Introduction

Remote sensing has become a very valuable resource for modern archaeology as a useful tool for finding and documenting cultural heritage sites. Airborne laser scanning (LiDAR hereafter) and aerial and satellite image data are well established and highly applicable approaches to find and study sites in a non-destructive and minimally invasive manner. Archaeological application of remote sensing data is, rarely a straightforward process, and considerable efforts have been put into developing and improving methodological approaches. The pros and cons of different remote sensing data vary and, so do areas of utilization and methodological approaches applicable for analysing the data. Survey efforts focused primarily on coastal and riverine areas as well as other relatively accessible areas. Especially in the interior, are yet to be systematically surveyed

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