Archaeological Map Research Articles

The first step towards FAIR-ness in Bulgarian archaeology: The Archaeological Map of Bulgaria in ARIADNE and ARIADNEplus

Summary This article provides an overview of the participation of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAS) as a partner in both the ARIADNE and ARIADNEplus projects and the SEADDA COST Action. The article examines both the workflow and the results obtained when modifying and mapping part of the national site and monuments information system, also known as the 'Archaeological Map of Bulgaria' (AIS AKB). The article's focus is mainly on the technical preparation of data shared through the ARIADNE portal. The main workflow followed throughout the projects included mapping terms to the Getty AAT thesaurus, adding Bulgarian archaeological chronologies to PeriodO, and mapping metadata to the ARIADNE catalogue data model (ACDM) in ARIADNE and to the AO-cat ontology in ARIADNEplus. In 2016, a mapping of AIS AKB to the CIDOC CRM was also undertaken, and the first steps towards creating the geographic information system, 'Archaeological Map of Bulgaria' (GIS AKB), were taken. The experience gathered by the NAIM-BAS team members throughout the whole project was important for moving towards FAIR-ness in Bulgarian archaeology.

Improving GPR interpretation by applying image-enhancing attributes and machine learning techniques: A case study over Green Hill Cemetery in Frankfort, Kentucky

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) enables noninvasive imaging in structural mapping applications such as unmarked grave detection. However, burial signatures can be cryptic and require expert analysis. This study investigates attribute enhancement and machine learning to automate identification of variable-signature graves at Green Hill Cemetery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Nine complementary seismic attributes were computed from the GPR envelope reflectivity volume to boost discontinuities and patterns indicative of shafts. Coherent energy, pseudofrequency, and similarity transforms showed optimal visualization enhancement. These volumes were input into unsupervised k-means and self-organizing map (SOM) machine learning models to cluster potential burial sites. Both methods accurately characterized strong anomaly reflections associated with apparent grave boundaries. However, limitations emerged in classifying subtler signatures that are likely linked to deteriorated or deeper interments. SOM clustering provided finer segmentation between noise and targets. Collectively, attributes amplified burial edges for easier recognition, while machine learning clustering expedited identification of most vault structures and unmarked sites. However, edge case discrimination remains a challenge. Results suggest that hybrid human-machine learning analysis can enhance efficiency over purely manual interpretation. With further method refinement, automated attribute and machine learning workflows show strong potential for accelerating GPR-based cemetery and archaeological mapping.

Laser scanner surveys on the Island of Capri. The contribution of a metrological approach to the understanding of ancient architecture

The CNR, within the “Masgaba” project, contributes to the archaeological mapping of Capri. This initiative involves survey activities, historical-architectural studies, and the creation of detailed graphic documentation integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS). Surveys employ advanced technologies, such as laser scanning and photogrammetry. The resultant 3D models contribute to site documentation and analysis. This study advocates the use of a methodological approach reliant on precise measurements and thorough planimetric surveys achieved through instrumental techniques to investigate and comprehend archaeological remnants with a high degree of certainty. By combining this with careful examination of walls and construction techniques, historical phases and space functions can be defined. The examination of three archaeological sites in Capri, Grotta dell’Arsenale, Villa of Gradola, and Villa of Damecuta, exemplifies this approach.

Aerial, Surface, and Subsurface Multimodal Mapping in Coastal Peru

ABSTRACTThis article describes a series of steps to integrate multiple modes of archaeological mapping in arid and agricultural settings. We use the coastal region of Peru as a case study and share our recent field experience at Cerro San Isidro, a multicomponent hill site located in the agriculture-intensive and mid-elevation (about 500 m asl) Moro region of the Nepeña Valley. In June and July 2022, we spent eight weeks deploying a combination of drone aerial imagery, pedestrian GPS reconnaissance, and GPR survey to map the surface and subsurface features at the site and in the adjacent agricultural fields. Our efforts suggest that the ancient settlement extended over an area of at least 50 ha, well beyond the visible surface architecture. Using a multimodal approach to confirming the partial destruction of archaeological vestiges by modern agricultural encroachment is both time-effective and noninvasive. The article offers insights from our experience, including the sequence of field operations, technical troubleshooting, and the collection and integration of datasets. We discuss the methodological potential and implications of this combination of multimodal mapping and its deployment in coastal Peru, a region that, like many others in the world, is increasingly subject to rapid agricultural expansion and other anthropogenic developments.

НАЧАЛО АКАДЕМИЧЕСКОЙ АРХЕОЛОГИИ В БАШКОРТОСТАНЕ

During the post-war period, archaeological research was rapidly advancing in the Soviet Union. After the All-Union Archaeological Conference in 1945, the Moscow Branch of the Institute for the History of Material Culture (henceforth IHMC) became the main center for archaeological research and organizer of field studies throughout the USSR. At a meeting of the Department of History and Philosophy in 1951, together with a plenum of IHMC and the USSR Academy of Sciences, a decision was made to expand archaeological research across all regions of the country. An archaeological team is forming at the Bashkir Scientific Research Institute of History, Language, and Literature, which was part of the USSR Academy of Sciences since 1951. In 1953, a sector of history, archaeology, and ethnography was created, and archaeological expeditions were launched. Initially, field research was conducted as part of the Bashkir Archaeological Expedition under the leadership of IHMC. Since 1957, independent archaeological units have been formed. In 1959, a department of archeology and ethnography became part of the IHLL. The same year, a collection of articles dedicated to archaeological studies in Bashkortostan were published for the first time. In 1978, an independent sector of archaeology appeared, the successor of which is the Department of Archaeological Research currently operating as part of the IHLL. Thus, in 2023–2024 it will be 70 years since the beginning of archaeological research in the IHLL. It is also the anniversary of the beginning of systematic academic research of the territory of the Southern Urals and the design of Ufa as the center of archaeological research in the region. In addition to documentary evidence of the formation of the archaeological structure in the IHLL, the article provides statistics on archaeological expeditions in the territory of Bashkortostan. An analysis of these data shows that, between 1955 and 1963, units organized by academic institutions of the IHMC (Institute of History of Material Culture) and IHLL dominated among them. Due to active fieldwork, by 1970, information had been obtained on 2,059 archaeological sites located within the BASSR and data on these sites had been systematized into the academic catalog “Archaeological Map of Bashkiria.” In general, the mid-1950s to 1960s can be characterized as the period when a systematic archaeological survey was being formed on the territory of Bashkortostan. The main focus of this process was the IHLL

ARCHAEOLOGICAL RELICS OF DAK R’LAP DISTRICT, DAK NONG PROVINCE, IN THE REGIONAL PREHISTORIC CONTEXT

This article systematizes the documentation of prehistoric archaeological relics and artifacts from Dak R’lap District, Dak Nong Province. The article also presents the results of investigations, new discoveries, and surveys conducted by the author together with archaeologists from the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology. The author outlines the characteristics, properties, and dates of relics and artifacts; describes the locations, roles, and close relationship of relics and artifacts discovered in Dak R’lap District with the prehistory of Dak Nong in particular and the Central Highlands and Southeast in general. This research provides more data for the construction of prehistoric archaeological maps; facilitates researching, compiling, and educating on local history; and promotes sustainable cultural tourism development in Dak Nong Province in general.

Ἐθνη Θρᾳκῶν στὴ Θράκη τοῦ Αἰγαίου κατὰ τοὺς ἑλληνιστικοὺς καὶ ρωμαϊκοὺς χρόνους IΙ. Σαπαῖοι καὶ Σαπαϊκή


 
 
 Of two articles devoted to the Thracian tribes attested in Aegean Thrace during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the second, published here, focuses on the tribe of the Sapaioi (the first, under the title «Ἔθνη Θρᾳκῶν στὴ Θράκη τοῦ Αἰγαίου κατὰ τοὺς ἑλληνιστικοὺς καὶ ρωμαϊκοὺς χρόνους, Ι. Κορπίλοι καὶ Κορπιλική», devoted to the Corpiloi, was published in Τεκμήρια 15 [2019-2020] 187-226). Once again, the relevant testimonia are mainly literary, spanning from the beginning of the fifth century BC (Xerxes’ march against Greece) to the second century AD (catalogue of strategiae of Thrace in Claudius Ptolemy’s Geographika). But in this particular case, references to the Sapaioi also include a couple of inscriptions; among them, most prominently, the famous catalogue of the theorodokoi from Delphi and the equally renowned Sosthenes’ inscription from Paros. By gathering and analyzing these testimonia, the present article aims at defining more accurately the tribal territory of the Sapaioi and the limits of the Σαπαϊκὴ στρατηγία; at highlighting the intense and complex reality of a Thracian tribe in direct and close contact with the Greek and Roman worlds; and, finally, at stressing ‒through a brief and preliminary overview of the region’s archaeological map‒ the need for further archaeological research.
 
 

Принципы и методы исследования структуры метагеосистем для проектирования паломническо-туристского кластера

Introduction. The article characterizes the spatio-temporal structure of metageosystems of the pilgrimage-tourist cluster “Sanaksar – Temnikov”, located in the center of the Russian Plain, in the zone of interaction of forest-steppe and forest geosystems. Materials and methods. Thestructuring of information within the framework of thestudy is based on the simultaneous use of a natural sequence of involving interrelated principles: genetic, historical, systemic, territorial-structural. The object of study was investigated from the perspective of a geosystem approach, the structure and components of metageosystems were analyzed as spatial formations of different levels of organization, naturally functioning. Research results and discussion. A detailed description of the geosystem model of the tourist cluster “Sanaksar – Temnikov” is given. It has been proven that the sustainable development of metageosystems should be based on multifactor information support, in which the most important condition for the effective economic development of landscapes is realized through the formation of a regional spatial data infrastructure. Based on the analysis of the archaeological map of the Republic of Mordovia, patterns of development of cultural landscapes are identified. The characteristics of the processes and features of the economic development of geosystems and the formation of cultural heritage have been formed. Conclusion. The organization of a pilgrimage and tourism cluster places high demands on information support. Solving the problem of forecasting and monitoring the development of metageosystems for making management decisions is possible using methods and algorithms for processing and analyzing spatial data, designing and implementing project-oriented geoportal systems for distributing spatial data.

Recording Data from Metal-Detecting Activities in the Czech Republic: The Portal of Amateur Collaborators and Register of Individual Finds (AMCR-PAS)

This article discusses the importance of the Portal of Amateur Collaborators and the Register of Individual Finds of the Archaeological Map of the Czech Republic (AMCR-PAS) in preserving data from metal-detecting activities in the Czech Republic. The context and legal framework of metal detecting in the country are explained along with the establishment of AMCR-PAS. The collaboration between amateur and professional archaeologists is also discussed. The recorded finds are analysed in terms of chronological, typological and spatial distribution. The AMCR-PAS system is recognised as a crucial tool for the preservation of data from metal detecting, and provides a valuable resource for national and transnational archaeological research, enabled especially by aggregation of AMCR-PAS data in the ARIADNE infrastructure. Overall, this article highlights the significance of the AMCR-PAS system and its potential to contribute to the understanding of the country's rich archaeological heritage. It also examines the shortcomings and challenges that accompany applying the system in practice.

Ленинградские исследователи раннеславянских древностей Днепровского лесостепного Левобережья

The article is dedicated to the antiquities of the upper and partially middle reaches of the Sula river. It assesses the contribution of the Leningrad researchers of 1940 s —1970 s to the study of the forest-steppe Dnieper Left Bank of the 1 st millennium AD, including archaeological mapping of the Dnieper’s Left Bank cultures (P. N. Tretyakova, I. I. Lyapushkina, G. F. Korzukhina). The author considers the views of E. A. Goryunov, M. M. Kazansky, O. A. Shcheglova on certain unresolved issues of the first half of the 1 st millennium and the 7 th —8 th centuries, presents the data on late Zarubintsy, late Scythian, Kyiv, Chernyakhov, Penkovka (Kolochin) and Volyntsevo sites from the Upper Sula reaches examined by E. A. Goryunov and G. A. Romanova and publishes the plans of the sites drawn by G. A. Romanova.

Podillia Church Historical and Archaeological Society in the Study of Archaeological Heritage

The purpose of the research paper is to analyze the role of Podillia Church Historical and Archaeological Society (1865-1920) in the study of archaeological heritage and to determine its significance in the overall heritage of its scientific achievements.
 Scientific novelty. After studying the documentary sources it has been found out that during its activities Podillia Church Historical and Archaeological Society evolved from an amateur group into a true center of historical research in Podillia, and archeology became one of the main components that secured the Society recognition and authority in scientific circles at the end of the 19th century – early 20th century.
 Conclusions. In order to write the history of Podillia with pro-Russian ideological content, a group of priests and local intellectuals at Podillia Theological Seminary was organized and got the name of the Committee for Historical and Statistical Description of Podillia Eparchy. Over the years, the Committee had grown into a full-fledged center for studying the history of Podillia, called Podillia Church Historical and Archaeological Society, whose work had acquired scientific features, and the areas of research and their content had gone far beyond the tasks set by the ruling elite.
 The high level of organization and results of research in the field of archeology ensured the Society to be recognized in the academic world at the end of the 19th – early 20th century. And such achievements as the collecting and well-argued systematization of the collection of archaeological objects, as well as the system of the compiled Archaeological Map of Podillia, are patterns that retain their relevance and meaning to this day. Such a high assessment of the results of the Society’s activities was given by authoritative Ukrainian historians of that time, such as V. Antonovych, D. Doroshenko, I. Krypiakevych, and O. Ohloblyn.
 From the experience of the Society, it follows that the main condition and reason for its progressive evolution was the very content of Ukrainian history, the objective study of which naturally formed individual national self-awareness and fostered patriotism.

BRIDGING THE GAP: AN OPEN-SOURCE GIS+BIM SYSTEM FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL DATA. THE CASE STUDY OF ALTINUM, ITALY

Abstract. GIS tools in archaeology have become fundamental for professionals and researchers around the world. In recent years, the “3D revolution” has drastically changed archaeological practices and methods, including the use of GIS. This paper presents the results of a project aimed at building an integrated system for the management and study of archaeological data in 2D and 3D, connecting GIS to BIM. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an innovative technology developed for architectural design and planning, and later adapted for cultural heritage and historic buildings (HBIM). More recently, it has been tested on archaeological sites. Some attempts have been made to connect landscape scale GIS projects with BIM models of individual buildings. However, these have not been applied specifically to archaeology thus far. Through the use of open-source software, a seamless workflow from data collection in GIS to 3D visualization and modeling in a native OpenBIM environment has been created. The paper illustrates this methodology with a case study about Altinum, a Roman city in northeastern Italy near Venice. The GIS component of the project manages the archaeological map of the city, while the OpenBIM application allows the virtual reconstruction of the sites. For the latter, the case of the ancient city-gate of Altinum is considered and explained.

MULTI-PRIMITIVE TRIANGULATION OF AIRBORNE AND TERRESTRIAL MOBILE MAPPING IMAGE AND LIDAR DATA

Abstract. Over the last few decades, mobile mapping systems (MMS) such as uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and terrestrial platforms have been demonstrated in collecting geospatial data for a wide range of applications. MMS continue to evolve due to the unprecedented developments in sensor technology and emerging application domains. Integration of image and LiDAR data acquired by these systems can provide a comprehensive 3D model of the area of interest. However, ensuring good alignment of derived products from single or multiple platforms is crucial. Although many studies have been conducted in this area, there is still a need for a comprehensive integration approach that minimizes discrepancies between imagery and LiDAR data due to inaccurate calibration parameters or trajectory artifacts. To address this issue, a tightly-coupled camera/LiDAR integration workflow denoted as Unified Multi-Sensor Advanced Triangulation (UMSAT) is proposed. UMSAT can handle point, linear, and areal features derived from imaging and ranging systems while utilizing the position and orientation information provided by the navigation unit. This paper explores the feasibility of the proposed framework in two applications – archaeological mapping and geometric documentation of transportation corridors – for improving the quality of derived data/products from imaging and ranging remote sensing systems. Experimental results demonstrate that the UMSAT framework successfully aligns multi-temporal, multi-sensor, and multi-platform geospatial data.

THE SITES OF THE 8th—10th centuries IN ZHYTOMYR REGION (the Materials for the Archaeological Map)

The paper provides the information about the sites of the late 1st — turn of the 1st—2nd millennium AD discovered in various parts of the Zhytomyr region during 1982—2019. On the basis of the collected materials the summary was prepared which included 36 settlements, information on their locations, topography, dimensions, the thickness of the cultural layer, collected artifacts, and their cultural and chronological affiliation was determined.
 The earliest sites in two points (Bobrivka II, Teterivka II) were found. The cultural layers of these sites, which is the important, contain both materials of the Prague-Korchak (5th—7th centuries) and Luka-Rajkovets (8th—9th centuries) archaeological cultures. Materials of the Luka-Rajkovets culture of the 8th—9th centuries in 17 settlements are recorded (Zhytomyr — Kafedralna, Zhytomyr — Skver, Hardashivka V, Zarichany III, Bobrivka II, Boliarka I, Boliarka II, Boliarka III, Korotenka — Skelia, Harkushyne ozero I, Pisky, Stantsiia Priazhiv, Troianiv, Teterivka II, Teterivka III, Mali Kosharyshcha Ia, Malyn I). Materials of the 9th—10th centuries on the 14 sites occurred (Zhytomyr — Sholem-Aleichema, Zhytomyr — Zamkova hora, Kalynivka — Val, Kalynivka III, Kalynivka IV, Levkiv I, Stantsiia Priazhiv, Teterivka III, Turovets I, Turovets II, Vaskovychi — Bekhy, Malyn I, Pyrizhky I, Pavliukivka I). The pottary of barrow type of the 10th — first half of the 11th centuries on 14 settlements were discovered (Harkushene ozero I; Kalynivka IV, Levkiv III, Pisky, Stantsiia Priazhiv, Ulianivka I, Kozhukhivka I, Korosten — Cholivka, Moisiivka II, Kam’ianyi Brid II, Malyn I, Horodnytsia — Anastasivka III, Pavliukivka I and Lypky — Irpin II).
 The present data significantly supplement the archaeological map of the sites of Early Slavic and the initial stage of the Old Rus periods in the Zhytomyr region and they are of significant interest for the further study of a whole range of problems related to the formation of the culture of Rus-Ukraine and the formation of the East Slavic statehood.

UAV-Based Remote Sensing for Detection and Visualization of Partially-Exposed Underground Structures in Complex Archaeological Sites

The utilization of remote sensing technologies for archaeology was motivated by their ability to map large areas within a short time at a reasonable cost. With recent advances in platform and sensing technologies, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) equipped with imaging and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems have emerged as a promising tool due to their low cost, ease of deployment/operation, and ability to provide high-resolution geospatial data. In some cases, archaeological sites might be covered with vegetation, which makes the identification of below-canopy structures quite challenging. The ability of LiDAR energy to travel through gaps within vegetation allows for the derivation of returns from hidden structures below the canopy. This study deals with the development and deployment of a UAV system equipped with imaging and LiDAR sensing technologies assisted by an integrated Global Navigation Satellite System/Inertial Navigation System (GNSS/INS) for the archaeological mapping of Dana Island, Turkey. Data processing strategies are also introduced for the detection and visualization of underground structures. More specifically, a strategy has been developed for the robust identification of ground/terrain surface in a site characterized by steep slopes and dense vegetation, as well as the presence of numerous underground structures. The derived terrain surface is then used for the automated detection/localization of underground structures, which are then visualized through a web portal. The proposed strategy has shown a promising detection ability with an F1-score of approximately 92%.

О демографической ситуации на Тамбовщине в эпоху средневековья

Importance. The main source of information about demographic processes that took place in the Middle Ages on the territory of modern Tambov region and adjacent territories is archaeological research. Almost to the present time, the Upper Don region and the Oka-Don plain remained a white spot on the medieval archaeological map. Only in recent decades has the source base been significantly expanded. Monuments of the first half of the first millennium of the new era belonging to the circle of Early Slavic antiquities were identified; studies of the monuments of the Don Slavs, the Old Russian time, the nomadic circle were carried out. The purpose of the study was to identify the directions of settlement of the Oka-Don plain in the Middle Ages, its dynamics, ethnic composition, contacts of the new population with the autochthonous. Materials and methods. The principle of historicism, the comparative typological method and the principle of objectivity. Both general and special methods of historical cognition were used. The dating of archaeological materials and their belonging to a certain ethnic group was determined by studying ceramics and a few individual finds. Results and Discussion. The territory of modern Tambov region, as part of the Oka-Don plain, has always been attractive due to its natural and climatic features not only for nomadic peoples, but also for settled tribes. Due to various factors, such as the Great Migration of peoples, periodic invasions of nomads, the disintegration of individual archaeological cultures, the demographic situation in the Middle Ages was extremely unstable. Residents of many settlements were forced to change their place of residence, or try to coexist with nomads. Conclusion. Conclusions are drawn about the diversity of ethnic groups in the Tambov region due to the presence of cultural finds, remnants of dwellings, burials in places of existence of various cultures. The novelty of the conducted research lies in the chronological systematization of the stages of life and activity of the peoples who lived in the first millennium on the territory of the modern Tambov region. Their ancestral and cultural ties, lifestyle and territorial movements for various reasons have become objects of study using archaeological methods, which has allowed us to expand our knowledge of the ancient history of the region. Further attention to the famous monuments and the discovery of new ones on the territory of the Oka-Don plain will allow us to study in more detail the demographic situation in the Middle Ages in this territory.

Topography Staraya Ladoga: Actual questions

Medieval Ladoga (after 1704 — the village of Staraya Ladoga) was the first urban centre of Northern Russia. It emerged no later than the middle of the 8th century AD. The medieval city boasts a unique archaeological and architectural complex, comprising a stone fortress, an extensive settlement, stone temples and monasteries, and various funerary sites such as hills, mounds, ground burial grounds, and Christian cemeteries. Scientific archaeological research has been intermittently conducted at this site for over 150 years. Researchers have repeatedly investigated the topography of the Ladoga complex, whose history reflects the formation of the medieval city. Ladoga grew from a small settlement in the river floodplain, involved in the processes of trans-European interaction, into a major centre with developed craft production. However, it is still debated whether the settlement had a single nucleus or was formed over time from several closely spaced, isolated farms. Another unresolved issue is the nature of interaction between Ladoga and its immediate neighbourhood. Although archaeological research has a long history, there is currently insufficient data to definitively address the questions posed. The article reviews the main works on the history of settlement development. It argues for the need to revisit the internal topography of Ladoga, considering the accumulation of new archaeological material. The article presents the initial findings of the field research conducted between 2021 and 2023. Utilizing new technical resources, a contemporary archaeological map of Staraya Ladoga and its surrounding areas, comprising 55 sites, has been produced. Aerial photography and airborne laser scanning complement each other to create topographic plans, build digital elevation models, and search for previously unknown or destroyed archaeological sites. Unlike aerial photography, which is effective in open terrain, airborne laser scanning allows for the detection of small differences in relief regardless of the degree of forest cover. When processing laser scanning results, only the ground surface is left visible, revealing all relief irregularities, including archaeological objects such as burial mounds, ditches, ramparts, and old excavation contours. The Zemlyanoye Gorodishche (Earthen Castle) is considered the most valuable archaeological site, spanning from the 8th to the 17th centuries. Several generations of archaeologists excavated the site intermittently between 1909 and 2013, covering an area of over 2000 square metres. Despite extensive archaeological research, there are still unresolved issues regarding the development of general stratigraphic and planigraphic schemes for the entire studied area. The imperfection of the methodology used to fix past years is the reason for this. A considerable amount of data remains in archives. Publishing the complete results of excavations, which span over 100 years, is a task for the future.

North isn’t necessarily up: map projections, the politics of cartography and their relevance to archaeology

Maps and mapping are indispensable tools within archaeological practice. However, they are also tools that have historically been employed relatively uncritically by archaeologists. Maps are used functionally, with little attention paid to the subtler impact of certain decisions in relation to form and appearance. This article serves as a companion to ‘A global perspective on the past: the Institute of Archaeology around the world’ piece earlier in this volume, briefly explaining the theoretical principles underpinning decisions taken in that piece. In particular, the relevance of developments in the field of critical cartography and their application to large-scale archaeological mapping are considered. Map projections, their history, relevant uses and the impact of the choice of projection are discussed, as well as the significance of map orientation. In particular, it is demonstrated that the normalised ‘north up’ visualisation of our planet is a very specific and surprisingly recent development with an important history and subconscious implications. The way in which space is visualised has a subtle impact on the way we understand and, therefore, behave in the world around us. As such, it is contended that a self-conscious and reflexive attitude to the way we visualise space is a crucial consideration in our understanding of both the present and the archaeological past.

СРЕДНОВЕКОВНИТЕ ХРИСТИЯНСКИ ХРАМОВЕ И СКАЛНИ ОБИТЕЛИ ПО ШУМЕНСКОТО ПЛАТО – СВЕДЕНИЯ И ПРОУЧВАНИЯ ОТ ХVІІ В. ДО ДНЕС

The article attempts to present and summarize in a chronological aspect the data and studies related to the medieval Christian churches and monasteries located along the rocky ridge surrounding the Shumen plateau. The sites, that at different times have attracted the attention of many historians and archaeologists, are mostly the abodes associated with the entry of hesychasm into the Bulgarian lands. Evidence has been presented that these were not independent monastic units, but were part of rock hermitages to a monastery or a main church at the foot of the slopes in the ravines of the Shumen Plateau. It can be assumed that the period XIIXIVth century was the apogee of the functioning of the rock monasteries in the Shumen region, but some of them most likely existed in an earlier stage - the Early Bulgarian Middle Ages. The scholarly issues in connection with the model of building of complexes of a main church or monastery and adjoining rock cloisters can be examined in future joined expeditions and research aimed at completing the archaeological map of the Shumen Plateau.

A LiDAR-based geopedologic approach to address pre-Hispanic agricultural landscapes in Northern Michoacán, West Mexico

The methodical exploitation of arable lands in pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica has been recognized since the 16th century, but the Spanish Conquest caused cultivated landscapes to be dramatically modified. Thus, general amazement remains great when remote sensing techniques (RS) like airborne laser scanning (LiDAR) uncover fossilized farmlands. Recent studies demonstrated that agrarian features are widespread among the remains revealed by LiDAR-derived models. Efforts are being made to map these features but few studies have focused directly on the landforms and soils which they modify. Concurrently, while paleopedology has refined the identification of anthropogenic features within soils, spatial approaches correlating soil covers and archaeological sites have received less attention as perspectives often diverge between archaeological mapping, which often focuses on intra-site elements, and soil mapping, which generally encompasses broader areas. Yet, geoscientists have used RS to predict soil parameters and demonstrated that it could increase accuracy in knowledge-based soil maps. Today, while LiDAR-derived data are facilitating archaeological mapping beyond settlement limits, high-resolution RS also offers opportunities for more accurate soil mapping and calls for harmonization of perspectives. We present a method that combines LiDAR-based RS and fieldwork in archaeology and soil science to address pre-Hispanic cultivated landscapes based on a case study in West Mexico. It focuses on the Zacapu area, where long-lasting archaeological and geoecological research offered a solid background. We used LiDAR visualizations, modeling, and satellite images to detect anthropogenic and geopedologic features. The latter was verified through field surveys and test pits. Archaeological material and soil analyses followed. All data were mapped on GIS. As a result, we were able to update and improve significantly both the archaeological and geopedologic maps. The approach further provided an unprecedented reconstruction of landscape appropriation from the 6th to the 15th century AD. It demonstrates that archaeology, geomorphology, and pedology can efficiently complete each other to address more comprehensively pre-Hispanic cultivated landscapes.