non-invasive techniques – tools for preventive archaeology?

Non-invasive Techniques

Tools for Preventive Archaeology?

Axel G. PosluschnyRoman-Germanic Commission of the German Archaeological Inst [email protected]

Martin PosseltPosselt & Zickgraf -

Archäologisch-geophysikal ische Prospektionen GbR

[email protected]

ArcLand PZP GbR

www.archaeolandscapes.eu www.pzp.de

Content

• Introduction of methods & techniques• Aerial Archaeology• LiDAR/ALS• Geophysical surveying

• Case studies – advantages and pitfalls• Resume

Roman-Germanic Commission/DAI



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Visible features in Cultural Heritage Management



Braasch/Christlein1982

Invisible Features in Cultural Heritage Management


Non-invasive methods



Aerial Archaeology



• dependent on weather, climate, etc. so cannot be used at all times

• not all features show on aerial pictures (at all times)

• relatively coarse as regards the details of the documented sites

• very time effective• can give a first glimpse of

what is there• can cover very large areas in

a short time

LiDAR/ALSRoman-Germanic Commission/DAI


LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) – ALS (Airborne Laser Scanning)• only shows

3dimensional features• semi automatic

analyses are possible (highlighting potentially interesting features)

• works in forested areas• covers large areas

LiDAR/ALS

Celtic hillfort Vlada in Bohemia – with forest canopyř



LiDAR/ALS

Celtic hillfort Vlada in Bohemia – without forest řcanopy



LiDAR/ALS

Detecting so far unknown grave mounds in the forest near a Celtic hillfort in Germany



Geophysical Surveys

• Geophysical surveying methods comprise a variety of different techniques:• Magnetometer survey• Earth resistance survey (geoelectric survey)• Ground-penetrating radar (GPR)

• They are:• non-destructive• machine-based• in most cases less expensive than excavations• can cover very large areas• their disadvantage is the expert knowledge one has to have in

many cases to be able to handle the data derived from various measurements and the interdependency of features and surrounding soil



Posselt & Zickgraf Prospektionen GbR


Friedberg-Bruchenbrücken, Germany. Magnetogram pasted to a cadastre map.

1 Detail with groundplan of house 10.

2. Excavation of 1984-85.



Typology of groundplans of early neolithic houses.

To the left: earliest type, to the right developed type

(Lüning u. Stehli).



Phases of contruction of the Roman limes. Phases 1-4 (E. Schallmayer, Der Odenwaldlimes).



(W. Reinhard, Die keltische Fürstin von Reinheim)



Area of magnetometer survey

Outline of the planned by-pass-road

Motorway A5

Bad Homburg-Ober-Eschbach/Ober-Erlenbach (Hochtaunuskreis) 2001.

Geophysics and Magnetic ghosts.



MagnetogramBad Homburg-Ober-Eschbach/Ober-Erlenbach (Hochtaunuskreis)2001, Posselt & Zickgraf (PZP)

Fluxgate-Magnetometer (Ferex)dynamics +/- 3 nT (white/black)

Details with ground plans of houses



Bad Homburg-Ober-Eschbach/Ober-Erlenbach 2001.Fluxgate-Magnetometer (Ferex) dynamics +/- 3 nT(white/black)Magnetogram and interpretive drawing of LBK-houses 1 and 2



Bad Homburg-Ober-Eschbach/Ober-Erlenbach 2001. Section of circular ditch with invisible feature.

• The large variety of modern surveying methods have a number of great advantages:

• non-destructive

• amend each other

• very precise

• nearly complete

• cover large areas

• fast

• much lower costs than caused by excavations

Resume



• One can only protect, monitor and manage what s/he knows

–> Large scale surveys are not only a technique for archaeological research but also for Cultural Heritage Management

• Site protection is an expensive as well as a time consuming task

–> Modern geophysical and remote sensing methods are a possible solution

• Surveying data is the ideal basis for decision making in urban land-use planning, to assess the threads from erosion, looting and plundering or from ploughing and to monitor archaeological sites

• During building and construction planning the areas of archaeological interest can be taken into account

–> not only Archaeology or Cultural Heritage Management benefit from large scale surveys but also investors and stakeholders

Resume



Thank you very muchfor your attention

[email protected]@pzp.de

ArcLand PZP GbR


non-invasive techniques – tools for preventive archaeology?

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