Using UAV Survey, High-Density LiDAR Data and Automated Relief Analysis for Habitation Practices Characterization during the Late Bronze Age in NE Romania

Remote Sensing

Casandra Brașoveanu¹  Alin Mihu-Pintilie¹  Cristian Constantin Stoleriu² 

[1] Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi (UAIC), St. Lascăr Catargi 54, 700107 Iaşi, Romania;Department of Geography, Faculty of Geography and Geology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi (UAIC), Bd. Carol I 20A, 700505 Iaşi, Romania;

关键词: UAV survey;    LiDAR-derived DEM;    TPI and DEV;    GIS landform classification;    LBA archaeological sites;    Jijia catchment;   

DOI  :  10.3390/rs14102466

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The characterization of prehistoric human behavior in terms of habitation practices using GIS cartography methods is an important aspect of any modern geoarchaeological approach. Furthermore, using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys to identify archaeological sites with temporal resolution during the spring agro-technical works and automated mapping of the geomorphological features based on LiDAR-derived DEM can provide valuable information about the human–landscape relationships and lead to accurate archaeological and cartographic products. In this study, we applied a GIS-based landform classification method to relief characterization of 362 Late Bronze Age (LBA) settlements belonging to Noua Culture (NC) (cal. 1500/1450-1100 BCE) located in the Jijia catchment (NE Romania). For this purpose, we used an adapted version of Topographic Position Index (TPI) methodology, abbreviated DEV, which consists of: (1) application of standard deviation of TPI for the mean elevation (DEV) around each analyzed LBA site (1000 m buffer zone); (2) classification of the archaeological site’s location using six slope position classes (first method), or ten morphological classes by combining the parameters from two small-DEV and large-DEV neighborhood sizes (second method). The results indicate that the populations belonging to Noua Culture preferred to place their settlements on hilltops but close to the steep slope and on the small hills/local ridges in large valleys. From a geoarchaeological perspective, the outcomes indicate a close connection between occupied landform patterns and habitation practices during the Late Bronze Age and contribute to archaeological predictive modelling in the Jijia catchment (NE Romania).

【 授权许可】

Unknown