Journal Article

Detecting Neolithic Burial Mounds from LiDAR-Derived Elevation Data Using a Multi-Scale Approach and Machine Learning Techniques

Guyot, Alexandre, Hubert-Moy, Laurence, Lorho, Thierry

2018

Overview

Airborne LiDAR technology is widely used in archaeology and over the past decade has emerged as an accurate tool to describe anthropomorphic landforms. Archaeological features are traditionally emphasised on a LiDAR-derived Digital Terrain Model (DTM) using multiple Visualisation Techniques (VTs), and occasionally aided by automated feature detection or classification techniques. Such an approach offers limited results when applied to heterogeneous structures (different sizes, morphologies), which is often the case for archaeological remains that have been altered throughout the ages. This study proposes to overcome these limitations by developing a multi-scale analysis of topographic position combined with supervised machine learning algorithms (Random Forest). Rather than highlighting individual topographic anomalies, the multi-scalar approach allows archaeological features to be examined not only as individual objects, but within their broader spatial context. This innovative and straightforward method provides two levels of results: a composite image of topographic surface structure and a probability map of the presence of archaeological structures. The method was developed to detect and characterise megalithic funeral structures in the region of Carnac, the Bay of Quiberon, and the Gulf of Morbihan (France), which is currently considered for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. As a result, known archaeological sites have successfully been geo-referenced with a greater accuracy than before (even when located under dense vegetation) and a ground-check confirmed the identification of a previously unknown Neolithic burial mound in the commune of Carnac.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Archaeological sites / Archaeology / Archaeology and Prehistory / Artificial intelligence / Digital Terrain Model / Historic sites / Historical structures / Humanities and Social Sciences / Landforms / Learning algorithms / LiDAR / Machine learning / Mounds / Multi-scale Topographic Position / Multiscale analysis / Neolithic / Neolithic burial mound / Random Forest / Stone Age / Surface structure / Terrain models / Topography / visualisation techniques