Archaeological Prospection最新文献

{"title":"Physically Based Predictive Modelling of Archaeological Proxies Using Cropmarks","authors":"Elias Gravanis,&nbsp;Athos Agapiou","doi":"10.1002/arp.70015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.70015","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Cropmarks, as archaeological proxies, offer a valuable means of detecting buried sites through remote sensing. Yet, the scalability of such methods across varied archaeological contexts remains underexplored, and AI-based modelling approaches are still in early stages. This gap stems from environmental variability, limited ground-truth data due to intrusive validation and insufficient collaboration between archaeology and computer science. In this study, we assess the predictive performance of machine learning models trained on synthetic spectral signatures—representing cropmarks and healthy crops—generated via PROSAIL-based radiative transfer inversion. These synthetic data serve as a necessary augmentation of the original observations for model training and statistical analysis. These models are tested on new observations from the same test field, collected in a different year. Our ensemble approach uses multiple classifiers trained on batches of synthetic samples with majority voting and explicitly examines the impact of input noise. Results show detection rates of up to 92% in specific cases, with peak accuracy achieved when the synthetic dataset is twice the size of the original observations. These findings underscore the potential of radiative transfer–based synthetic data to support scalable cropmark detection in both new and archival hyperspectral datasets.</p>","PeriodicalId":55490,"journal":{"name":"Archaeological Prospection","volume":"33 1","pages":"177-187"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/arp.70015","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147564825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application of Planimetric Models of Satellite Imagery to Study Pre-Hispanic Water Management Systems in the Southern Puna, Argentina","authors":"Victoria C. Arévalo,&nbsp;Lorena Grana","doi":"10.1002/arp.70010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.70010","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Studying pre-Hispanic agricultural landscapes requires large-scale spatial analysis and detailed slope assessment to understand water management systems. Remote sensing and photo-interpretation techniques are effective for investigating historical irrigation structures. This research developed a high-precision planimetric model by integrating satellite imagery, digital elevation models (DEMs), slope analysis and hillshade visualisation. It focused on the pre-Hispanic agricultural site in the lower Miriguaca Basin (Antofagasta de la Sierra, Argentina), specifically Red Miriguaca 1 (RM1). Four methodological approaches were applied: (1) acquisition and processing of free satellite images and DEMs using QGIS; (2) generation of planimetric data, with integration of ground control points to enhance accuracy; (3) visual interpretation of hydraulic structures in the planimetric model; and (4) cross-checking diverse data (archaeological GPS control points and pre-existing hydraulic model) to corroborate hydraulic mapping. The model allowed identification of new sections of the main canal, secondary canals and the water intake point at RM1, clarifying the topography-driven hydraulic design. It also revealed connections between RM1 and other irrigation networks previously considered independent. This approach provides a cost-effective tool for reconstructing ancient water management in arid regions, with potential applications in similar archaeological contexts.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55490,"journal":{"name":"Archaeological Prospection","volume":"33 1","pages":"149-160"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147564432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Digital Spatial Technologies to Compose the Map of the Southeast Iberia Megalithic Phenomenon. The Case Study of Fonelas (Granada, Spain)","authors":"Carolina Cabrero González,&nbsp;Juan Antonio Cámara Serrano,&nbsp;José Antonio Bueno Herrera,&nbsp;Jesús Gámiz Caro","doi":"10.1002/arp.70021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.70021","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Megalithic landscapes in Southeast Iberia remain unevenly and insufficiently documented, particularly in rugged areas where traditional survey methods are limited. This paper addresses this gap by applying a multiscalar approach to the megalithic necropolises of the Fardes River (Granada, Spain), with the objective of detecting, documenting and interpreting poorly preserved prehistoric structures. To this end, an iterative workflow integrating remote-sensing techniques—specifically LiDAR-derived Digital Terrain Models (DTM) analysis and historical aerial imagery and RPAS photogrammetry—combined with systematic pedestrian surface survey was designed and tested. In the initial digital revision, 40 anomalies consistent in size (around 10–15 m in diameter) and morphology (circular) with known burial mounds of the area were identified. Field verification of these features confirmed 20 as positive archaeological features, comprising graves with tumuli and only orthostatic stone structures. Subsequently, RPAS photogrammetry was used on a selection of these verified sites to create high-resolution imagery and 3D models, allowing for detailed documentation and advanced interpretation. Additionally, a walled Chalcolithic settlement was recorded, characterized by concentric masonry alignments and associated material culture (e.g., hand mills, pottery and metallurgical tools). From a methodological perspective, this study evaluates the potential and limitations of remote sensing for detecting small-scale megalithic features (less than 20 m in diameter) often obscured by erosion, vegetation or subtle topographic expression. It demonstrates the value of an iterative survey model in which digital detection guides targeted fieldwork, and where field observations inform the subsequent application of advanced technologies such as RPAS for more precise documentation. This high verification rate (50%)—achieved through the complete ground-truthing of all detected anomalies—offers a replicable framework for surveying complex prehistoric landscapes and contributes new insights into the territorial organization and social complexity of Copper Age communities in Southeastern Iberia.</p>","PeriodicalId":55490,"journal":{"name":"Archaeological Prospection","volume":"33 1","pages":"257-273"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/arp.70021","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147562463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Survey and Sequence Strategies for Full-3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography in Archaeological Sites: A Case Study on a Domus of the Roman Town of Augusta Bagiennorum (NW Italy)","authors":"Andrea Vergnano,&nbsp;Diego Franco,&nbsp;Antonio Merico,&nbsp;Francesca Pace,&nbsp;Sofia Uggè,&nbsp;Cesare Comina","doi":"10.1002/arp.70013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.70013","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Preliminary geophysical investigations are a cost-effective and efficient way to screen archaeological sites and locate buried structures. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is one of the most widely used methods for archaeological prospection, but in some sites, it cannot be employed effectively due to the presence of clay or other electrically conductive materials, which strongly attenuate the electromagnetic signal, or due to bumped terrain, which demands rigorous signal analysis. Alternatively, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) can be adopted in these situations. However, ERT is not as frequently adopted as GPR for archaeological purposes because it is more time and cost consuming and, generally, has worse resolution. In this study, we aim to test a full-3D ERT approach to improve the imaging quality of ERT surveys for archaeological prospections. We develop specific survey strategies, including a custom open-source quadrupole sequence generator, studied for achieving high sensitivity to archaeological remains within the first metres of subsoil. We performed a test survey on a well-known archaeological site (the Roman town of Augusta Bagiennorum, NW Italy) and compared the results with a state-of-the-art multichannel GPR acquisition. The results showed that both GPR and ERT equally located the outer and inner walls of a complex Roman residential building. Moreover, the ERT could locate two targets, barely visible in the GPR survey, with the antenna used. We also compared the results of our full-3D ERT approach to a more common quasi-3D approach. We found that the full-3D approach overcomes the directional bias found in our quasi-3D acquisitions and provides a more accurate subsurface resistivity model. This methodology is ready to be employed in other archaeological sites and, differently from GPR, can easily operate on bumped terrain, in the presence of clay, and potentially reach greater investigation depths.</p>","PeriodicalId":55490,"journal":{"name":"Archaeological Prospection","volume":"33 1","pages":"87-107"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/arp.70013","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147562932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geophysical Investigations at the Artemision at Amarynthos of Euboea (Greece)","authors":"G. N. Tsokas,&nbsp;P. I. Tsourlos,&nbsp;G. Vargemezis,&nbsp;T. Krapf,&nbsp;Th. Theurillat,&nbsp;C. Polydoropoulos","doi":"10.1002/arp.70012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.70012","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A combination of resistivity mapping and three-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) was used to investigate the subsurface of the sanctuary of Artemis Amarysia in Amarynthos, Euboea (Greece), an area where archaeological remains from the Bronze Age to the post-Byzantine period are preserved. The survey strategy was tailored to the site-specific conditions—such as modern infrastructure and ground conditions—and prioritized electrical methods over magnetometry and ground penetrating radar (GPR). High-resolution 2D and 3D resistivity models revealed significant subsurface anomalies, many of which formed linear and rectilinear patterns that were interpreted as buried architectural features. Several of these features were aligned with structures previously uncovered by excavation. Subsequent archaeological investigations verified the geophysical interpretations and confirmed the presence, alignment and extent of several anomalies. These results illustrate the effectiveness of ERT in detecting architectural remains under complex site conditions and confirm its value in guiding excavation work. Although much of the site has been excavated and investigated, many areas remain unexplored. Given the demonstrated correlation between resistivity anomalies and subsurface structures, it is likely that similar features are present in the unexcavated areas. In this context, geophysical imaging can be viewed as a dynamic interpretive tool—one whose significance may evolve with ongoing archaeological discoveries and interpretations.</p>","PeriodicalId":55490,"journal":{"name":"Archaeological Prospection","volume":"33 1","pages":"131-147"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/arp.70012","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Roman Forts in the Northern Black Sea Area Through the Lens of Drone-Based Magnetometry","authors":"Kseniia M. Bondar,&nbsp;Semyon Cherkes,&nbsp;Ievgen Poliachenko,&nbsp;Vlad Kozak,&nbsp;Roman Kozlenko,&nbsp;Iryna Sheiko","doi":"10.1002/arp.70022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.70022","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Drone-based magnetometry has demonstrated high effectiveness in verifying satellite observations and detecting new archaeological features. In this study, we evaluate its application for archaeological prospection in the Northern Black Sea region, focusing on the previously documented Roman fort Kamianka V and one newly identified fort. DJI Agras T30 drones equipped with SENSYS MagDrone R3 magnetometers were used to survey areas of 14.0 and 1.6 ha on two sites. The magnetometer was suspended on a 2.0-m extension boom to minimize interference from the drone's electronics and to maintain the sensors' altitude of 1.0 m above the ground. The achieved survey accuracy, estimated as ±1.05 nT, enabled reliable detection of ditch structures—key elements of Roman fortifications—based on anomalies ranging from 1 to 12 nT. Comparison with the ground-based magnetometer survey demonstrates a close correspondence in the observed magnetic patterns. The layout of the Kamianka V fort, which is atypical for Roman military architecture, has been confirmed—featuring two internal forts enclosed within a single outer defensive system. The New fort was identified as a square-shaped positive magnetic anomaly consistent with a Roman-period enclosure. The study demonstrates the strong potential of drone-based magnetometry for large-area, high-resolution archaeological mapping in the steppe environment, including the detection of subtle earthen structures often obscured by intensive agricultural land use. These findings contribute to ongoing research on Roman military presence in the Northern Black Sea region and illustrate how drone-based geophysical solutions can expand the spatial and historical understanding of frontier systems.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55490,"journal":{"name":"Archaeological Prospection","volume":"33 1","pages":"275-287"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147562834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Multisensor Remote Sensing Approach to Archaeological Prospection: Integrating UAV and Google Earth Data in the Bayan Gol Valley, Mongolia","authors":"Peter Heimermann,&nbsp;Matthias Lang,&nbsp;Susanne Reichert,&nbsp;Lkhagvadorj Munkhbayar,&nbsp;Jan Bemmann","doi":"10.1002/arp.70011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.70011","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study investigates the effectiveness of drone-based remote sensing and Google Earth satellite imagery for archaeological prospection in the Bayan Gol Valley, Central Mongolia. Utilizing a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with RGB and multispectral sensors, we surveyed 655 ha to document Mongol-period settlement structures dating to the 13th and 14th centuries <span>ce</span>. The resulting high-resolution datasets, including digital surface models, RGB orthomosaics and vegetation index rasters, were compared with five image sets from 2007 to 2021 provided by Google Earth to assess their respective capabilities. The UAV-derived data proved significantly more effective, identifying 16% more archaeological features than the satellite imagery. However, Google Earth imagery provided valuable cost-efficient and multitemporal contextual information. The analysis also considers the impact of modern disturbances, such as agricultural activity and road construction, on feature visibility. These findings emphasize the complementary strengths of elevation and vegetation-based anomaly detection and highlight the value of integrated remote sensing approaches for archaeological mapping in complex and dynamic landscapes. The study contributes to the refinement of UAV methodologies and the broader application of remote sensing in archaeological research.</p>","PeriodicalId":55490,"journal":{"name":"Archaeological Prospection","volume":"33 1","pages":"109-130"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/arp.70011","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Google Earth Engine as a Base for Developing Microregional Pre-Hispanic Occupation Predictive Models: The High Valleys of Catamarca as a Case Study","authors":"Matias Lepori","doi":"10.1002/arp.70018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.70018","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The use of satellite remote sensing data has become one of the most employed methodologies for the initial stages of prospections and detection of archaeological features, especially considering the increasing availability and low costs of these approaches. Nowadays, it is even possible to work with the capabilities of freely available planetary-scale cloud computing platforms such as Google Earth Engine (GEE) and make use of the data accumulated over the last five decades in novel ways. Here, we introduce a methodology that combines ethnographic information and the calculation of a widely used vegetation index from several datasets in order to predict the location of archaeological occupations in areas which cannot be easily accessed. The selection of satellite images to be used takes three factors into consideration: temporal amplitude, spatial resolution and product quality. We are also interested in studying the differences that may exist in the application of the same methodology on different satellite image datasets. Due to geomorphological conditions and archaeological survey strategies, we have to deal with vast unprospected areas above 3300 m above sea level and the subsequent lack of information. Thus, we decided to work in the identification of vegetation (and water) patches that could have attracted the concentration of human occupations, paying special attention to recurrence and predictability, factors that could have favoured the return of people at different times, leaving more intense signs on the surface. This strategy has allowed us not only to advance in the identification of new spaces with a recurrent availability of water and vegetation, known in the literature and among locals as ‘vegas de altura’ (translated as highland marshes or peatlands), register features that could correspond to archaeological occupations and plan pedestrian prospections there. In addition, the applied methodology can also be used to monitor changes in the conditions of growth and decline of these fragile environments.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55490,"journal":{"name":"Archaeological Prospection","volume":"33 1","pages":"215-227"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147570002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the Effectiveness of UAV Photogrammetry, Terrestrial Laser Scanning and iPad LiDAR for Complex Cultural Heritage Sites Documentation and WEB-Based VR Visualization","authors":"Abdurahman Yasin Yiğit,&nbsp;Eren Can Seyrek,&nbsp;Seda Nur Gamze Hamal,&nbsp;Ali Ulvi,&nbsp;Murat Uysal","doi":"10.1002/arp.70020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.70020","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Avdalaz Castle, carved by the Phrygians around the 2nd–3rd century <span>bc</span> in Afyonkarahisar, western Türkiye, and later reused during the Roman and Byzantine periods, represents one of the earliest known multi-storey rock-cut settlements in Anatolia. Beyond its architectural uniqueness, the site holds exceptional cultural and historical importance for understanding early urban dwelling patterns in central Anatolia. However, its irregular geometries, multilevel interior chambers and limited accessibility pose significant challenges for accurate digital recording and long-term preservation. To address these challenges, this study undertakes a comparative assessment of UAV photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and iPad LiDAR scanning (iLS). UAV photogrammetry enabled rapid coverage of extensive exterior surfaces, TLS provided high-accuracy modelling of complex geometries and iLS facilitated data capture within narrow and inaccessible interior chambers. The integration of these complementary datasets was achieved through the Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm and evaluated with cloud-to-cloud (C2C) comparisons, which showed a mean distance of less than 2 cm between UAV photogrammetry and TLS for external surfaces. While the study identifies certain limitations (such as the lower precision of iLS compared to TLS and the time-consuming setup of TLS), it demonstrates the broader intellectual and technological benefits of combining multisensor methods. The adopted approach not only offers a systematic framework for addressing the challenges of documenting sites with complex geometries but also advances the potential of digital tools in cultural heritage preservation. Finally, the integrated 3D point cloud was visualized on a web-based virtual reality (VR) platform powered by Potree. This interactive environment enabled browser-based inspection and basic geometric analyses, including profile and volume measurements. By improving accessibility for both researchers and the public, the study demonstrates the practical potential of multisensor integration for cultural heritage documentation.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55490,"journal":{"name":"Archaeological Prospection","volume":"33 1","pages":"229-256"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147570240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Book Review: Non-Intrusive Methodologies for Large Area Urban Research, Edited by I.P. Haynes, T. Ravasi, S. Kay, S. Piro, and P. Liverani, Archaeopress Archaeology, 2023. ISBN: 978-1-80327-446-1 £30 Paper back book or free PDF: https://www.archaeopress.com/Archaeopress/Products/9781803274461.","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/arp.70032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/arp.70032","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55490,"journal":{"name":"Archaeological Prospection","volume":"33 1","pages":"289-290"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147563149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}