Abstract
For archaeologists, the task of processing large terrestrial laser scanning (TLS)-derived point cloud data can be difficult, particularly when focusing on acquiring analytical and interpretive outcomes from the data. Using our TLS lidar data collected in 2013 from two compositionally different, low Arctic multi-component hunter-gatherer sites (LdFa-1 and LeDx-42), we demonstrate how a manual point cloud classification approach with open source software can be used to extract natural and archaeological features from a site’s surface. Through a combination of spectral datasets typical to TLS (i.e., intensity and RGB values), archaeologists can enhance the visual and analytical representation of archaeological huntergatherer site surfaces. Our approach classifies low visibility Arctic site point clouds into independent segments, each representing a different surface material found on the site. With the segmented dataset, we extract only the surface boulders to create an alternate characterization of the site’s prominent features and their surroundings. Using surface point clouds from Paleo-Inuit sites allows us to demonstrate the value of this approach within hunter-gatherer research as our results illustrate an effective use of large TLS datasets for extracting and improving our analytical capabilities for low relief site features.
References
Abbas, M. A., Luh, L. C., Setan, H., Majid, Z., Chong, A. K., Aspuri, A., Idris, K. M., & Ariff, M. F. M. (2014). Terrestrial laser scanners pre-processing: Registration and georeferencing. Jurnal Teknologi, 71(4), 115-122. 10.11113/jt.v71.3833Search in Google Scholar
Bandyopadhyay, M., van Aardt, J. A. N., & Cawse-Nicholson, K. (2013). Classification and extraction of trees and buildings from urban scenes using discrete return LiDAR and aerial colour imagery. In: M. D. Turner, & G. W. Kamerman (Eds.), Laser Radar Technology and Applications XVIII, Proceedings of SPIE 2013, Vol. 8731, 873105. Search in Google Scholar
Bielawski, E. (1988). Paleoeskimo variability: The early Arctic Small-Tool tradition in the central Canadian Arctic. American Antiquity, 53, 52-74. 10.2307/281154Search in Google Scholar
Brodu, N., & Lague, D. (2012). 3D terrestrial lidar data classification of complex natural scenes using a multi-scale dimensionality criterion: applications in geomorphology. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 68, 121-134. 10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2012.01.006Search in Google Scholar
Buckley, S. J., Kruz, T. H., Howell, J. A., & Schneider, D. (2013). Terrestrial lidar and hyperspectral data fusion products for geological outcrop analysis. Computers and Geosciences, 54, 249-258. 10.1016/j.cageo.2013.01.018Search in Google Scholar
CloudCompare (version 2.6.1) [GPL software]. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.cloudcompare.org/ Search in Google Scholar
Dawson, P. C., Bertulli, M. M., Levy, R., Tucker, C., Dick, L., & Cousins, P. L. (2013). Application of 3D laser scanning to the preservation of Fort Conger, a historic polar research base on northern Ellesmere Island, Arctic Canada. Arctic, 66(2), 147–158. 10.14430/arctic4286Search in Google Scholar
Friesen, T. M. (2015). On the naming of Arctic archaeological traditions: The case for Paleo-Inuit. Arctic, 68(3), iii-iv. 10.14430/arctic4504Search in Google Scholar
Güth, A. (2012). Using 3D scanning in the investigation of Upper Palaeolithic engravings: first results of a pilot study. Journal of Archaeological Science, 39(10), 3105-3114. 10.1016/j.jas.2012.04.029Search in Google Scholar
Hakonen, A., Kuusela, J-M., & Okkonen, J. (2015). Assessing the application of laser scanning and 3D inspection in the study of prehistoric carin sites: The case study of Tahkokangas, Northern Finland. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2, 227-234. Search in Google Scholar
Huggett, J. (2015). Challenging Digital Archaeology. Open Archaeology, 1(1), 79-85. 10.1515/opar-2015-0003Search in Google Scholar
Huimin, H., Yanmin, W., Chunmei, H., & Guoli, H. (2012). Application of terrestrial LiDAR technology in digital surveying and mapping of the Hall of Preserving Harmony of Forbidden City. Journal of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 3, 009. Search in Google Scholar
Humair, F., Abellan, A., Carrea, D., Matasci, B., Epard, J-L., & Jaboyedoff, M. (2015). Geological layers detection and characterisation using high resolution 3D point clouds: Example of a box-fold in the Swiss Jura Mountains. European Journal of Remote Sensing, 48, 541-568. 10.5721/EuJRS20154831Search in Google Scholar
Isenburg, M. (2015). LAStools efficient tools for LiDAR processing. (Version 1.3). Retrieved from http://lastools.org. Search in Google Scholar
Landry, D. B., Ferguson, I. J., Milne, S. B., & Park, R. W. (2015). Combined geophysical approach in a complex arctic archaeological environment: A case study from the LdFa-1 site, southern Baffin Island, Nunavut. Archaeological Prospection, 22(3), 157-170. 10.1002/arp.1505Search in Google Scholar
Larsen, B. P., Holdaway, S. J., Fanning, P. C., Mackrell, T., & Shiner J. I. (in press). Shape and an outcome of formation history: Terrestrial laser scanning of shell mounds from far north Queensland, Australia. Quaternary International, 1-8. Search in Google Scholar
Lerma, J. L., Navarro, S., Cabrelles, M., & Villaverde, V. (2010). Terrestrial laser scanning and close range photogrammetry for 3D archaeological documentation: The Upper Palaeolithic Cave of Parpalló as a case study. Journal of Archaeological Science, 37(3), 499-507. 10.1016/j.jas.2009.10.011Search in Google Scholar
Milne, S. B. (2003). Identifying Pre-Dorset structural features on southern Baffin Island: Challenges and considerations for alternative sampling methods. Inuit Studies, 27(1-2), 67-90. Search in Google Scholar
Milne, S. B. (2005). Archaeological investigations in the Mingo and Amadjuak Lake districts of southern Baffin Island. Permit report covering the work conducted under Nunavut Territory Archaeologist Permit No. 04-06A. Nunavut Ministry of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Igloolik, Nunavut. Search in Google Scholar
Milne, S. B. (2008). Archaeological investigations in the Mingo lake district of southern Baffin Island: Assessing Palaeo-Eskimo culture continuity and change. Permit report covering the work conducted under Nunavut Territory Archaeologist Permit No. 07-014. Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Government of Nunavut, Igloolik, Nunavut. Search in Google Scholar
Milne, S. B. (2013). Chert sourcing and Palaeo-Eskimo stone tool technology. Permit report covering the work conducted under Nunavut Territory Archaeologist Permit No. 2013-02A. Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Government of Nunavut, Igloolik, Nunavut. Search in Google Scholar
Milne, S. B., Park, R. W., & Stenton, D. R. (2012). Dorset culture land use strategies and the case of inland southern Baffin Island. Canadian Journal of Archaeology/Journal Canadien D’Archéologie, 36(2), 267-288. Search in Google Scholar
Milne, S. B., Park, R. W., Fayek, M., Stenton, D. R., & Landry, D. B. (2013). Toolstone availability near Frobisher Bay, NU and its implications for Palaeo-Eskimo lithic technological organization. Proceedings of the Canadian Archaeological Association Conference 15-19 May 2013, Whistler, British Columbia. Canada. Search in Google Scholar
Niemeyer, J., Rottensteiner, F., & Soergel, U. (2012). Conditional random fields for lidar point cloud classification in complex urban areas. ISPRS annals of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences, 1(3), 263-268. 10.5194/isprsannals-I-3-263-2012Search in Google Scholar
Park, R. (2008). Archaeological excavations at the LdFa-1 site, Mingo lake, Baffin Island, Summer 2008 Permit report on work conducted under Nunavut Territory Archaeologist Permit No. 08-029A. University of Waterloo. Search in Google Scholar
Penasa, L., Franceschi, M., Preto, N., Teza, G., & Polito, V. (2014). Integration of intensity textures and local geometry descriptors from terrestrial laser scanning to map chert in outcrops. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 93, 88–97. 10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2014.04.003Search in Google Scholar
Reyes, R., Bellian, J., & Adams, E. W. (2009). Using statistical methods to correct lidar intensities from geological outcrops. Proceedings of the Digital Mapping ASPRS/MAPPS Annual Conference, 16-19 November 2009, San Antonio, Texas. United States of America. Search in Google Scholar
Romero, B. E., & Bray. T. L. (2014). Analytical applications of fine-scale terrestrial lidar at the imperial Inca site of Caranqui, northern highland Ecuador. World Archaeology, 46(1), 25-42. 10.1080/00438243.2014.890910Search in Google Scholar
Rüther, H., Chazan, M., Schroeder, R., Neeser, R., Held, C., Walker, S. J., Matmon, A., & Horwitz, L. K. (2009). Laser scanning for conservation and research of African cultural heritage sites: the case study of Wonderwerk Cave, South Africa. Journal of Archaeological Science, 36(9), 1847-1856. 10.1016/j.jas.2009.04.012Search in Google Scholar
Schreiber, S., Hinzen, K. G., Fleischer, C., & Schütte, S. (2012). Excavation-parallel laser scanning of a medieval cesspit in the archaeological zone of Cologne, Germany. Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage, 5(3), 12. 10.1145/2362402.2362406Search in Google Scholar
Song, J-H., Han, S-H., Yu, K. Y., & Kim, Y-I. (2002). Assessing the possibility of land-cover classification using lidar intensity data. International Archives of Photogrammetry Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, 34(3/B), 259-262. Search in Google Scholar
Stenton, D. R. (1991). The archaeology of terrestrial hunting systems: The Amadjuak Lake Project. Permit report on file with the Department of Culture, Elders, Language, and Youth. Government of Nunavut. Igloolik: Nunavut. Search in Google Scholar
Watterson, A. (2015). Beyond digital dwelling: re-thinking interpretive visualisation in Archaeology. Open Archaeology, 1, 119-130. 10.1515/opar-2015-0006Search in Google Scholar
© 2016 David B. Landry et al.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.
