Detection of Maya Ruins by LiDAR: Applications, Case Studies, and issues

Document Type

Book Section

Publication Date

7-1-2017

Publication Title

Sensing the Past: From Artifact to Historical Site

Publisher

Springer International Publishing

Publisher Location

New York

First page number:

455

Last page number:

468

Abstract

The study of ancient Mesoamerican landscapes and settlement has been significantly impacted in a positive way through the application of LiDAR (light detection and ranging). LiDAR has permitted the recovery of ground data from huge regional areas that are currently under a tropical canopy: the use of traditional methods of survey and mapping could never have resulted in the detailed data that are available through LiDAR. The analyses of LiDAR data are a conjunctive task that involves archaeologists with physicists and computer scientists. This interdisciplinary effort is producing new results and interpretations for all fields, but has also raised issues that need resolution, particularly involving data storage and distribution. LiDAR has already transformed the way in which Mesoamerican settlement survey is done, and future collection of LiDAR data will benefit Mesoamerica through helping to preserve a landscape of the past.

Keywords

LiDAR, Settlement archaeology, Landscape archaeology, Maya, Mesoamerica

Language

English


Share

COinS