Technical advances in the field of remote sensing have made it possible to create a large number of datasets with very high spectral, temporal or spatial resolution, however, in the field of...Show moreTechnical advances in the field of remote sensing have made it possible to create a large number of datasets with very high spectral, temporal or spatial resolution, however, in the field of archaeology, the evaluation of this data is still largely a manual undertaking. The issue with manual interpretation is that human interpreters are increasingly having difficulty coping with the sheer amount of data while in some cases, the human eye is not capable of processing the full range of information contained in these datasets. It is for this reason that (semi-)automatic classification workflows need to be developed in order to aid human interpreters in their image classification tasks. This thesis is concerned with the development of a Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GeOBIA) workflow for classifying LiDAR visualisations containing heterogeneous and linear objects. The study area that this workflow is applied to is the terraced landscape of the Lower Engadine, Switzerland, where the complex and steep terrain contains multiple agricultural terraces, irrigation/drainage ditches, roads and more. The workflow makes use of only FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications in order to ensure full transparency, accessibility and reproducibility of the classification results. For this purpose, a number of FOSS and proprietary software was tested in order to determine the user friendliness, suitability and effectiveness of each of the options. In order to develop the final workflow, a number of studies regarding the suitability of different LiDAR visualisations as well as training data input options and smoothing filters were carried out. The final workflow makes use of an unfiltered slope visualisation, consists of six steps with an optional seventh step, and is capable of producing classification results that hold up against manual mapping results of the terrace edges that were used as a benchmark. Finally, in order to assess whether the classification results generated by the workflow are useful to a human interpreter, a user study was carried out. 13 out of the 14 users stated that the classification results were helpful to them and because the workflow takes no longer than 5-10 minutes to carry out, it can be said that this workflow is capable of producing a useful classification of the study area with minimal time and effort.Show less
The use of 3D models has steadily increased within archaeology, leading to the adoption of many 3D digital data acquisition techniques and 3D quality assessments. Yet the problem remains of how 3D...Show moreThe use of 3D models has steadily increased within archaeology, leading to the adoption of many 3D digital data acquisition techniques and 3D quality assessments. Yet the problem remains of how 3D models and 3D file formats can be opened 10 or 20+ years after they have been generated. 3D Data preservation for the long-term is a predicament that current archaeological digital archives are dealing with. Correct preservation has to consider the purpose of current 3D models and what 3D models can offer for future research aspects. Legal, institutional and technical aspects influence preservation as well and combined with the digital archive and user perspectives, form the stakeholders of 3D data preservation. The used 3D data of this thesis are photogrammetric-generated 3D models of Uruk pottery of Jebel Aruda. The focus of this thesis is to demonstrate how existing object-based archaeological 3D data should be converted and presented within a dataset to consider the requirements of all the stakeholders. This thesis presents a workflow for generating a dataset of object-based archaeological 3D models for EASY. EASY is a certified digital archiving system in the Netherlands that assumes responsibility for long-term preservation of research data and accessibility of digital objects. The workflow only addresses stakeholder requirements that are essential for digitally preserving 3D data for the long-term. This workflow is assessed on its adherence to the FAIR principles, on the fit for purpose of 3D file formats for object-based archaeological 3D models and lastly, the required tools and applicability of Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS). The workflow consists of four steps with the first step addressing ethical considerations and the second step directory structuring and file naming. The third step involves importing the original 3D file in Blender and exporting the file to six preservation recommended 3D file formats. The last step of the workflow is to generate three levels of documentation using metadata and paradata. Three evident results emerged from this thesis. The research indicates that of the six recommended 3D file formats, the combination of the FBX and OBJ file formats provide the most value for preserving object-based archaeological 3D models. The research also suggests that the generated 3D dataset not completely adheres to the FAIR principles, but that elements which are not fully addressed do not inherently alter the outcome of the interoperability or reusability. Lastly, the thesis has shown that it is possible to generate a preservation-ready 3D dataset using only FOSS. Although archaeological and preservation specifications can be researched further, object-based archaeological 3D datasets can be generated in a cost-free and transparent production.Show less
The specific Thesis aims to create a 3D photogrammetric model of a ship model depicting a Dutch warship from the middle of the 18th century. The Thesis focuses on the methodological issues and the...Show moreThe specific Thesis aims to create a 3D photogrammetric model of a ship model depicting a Dutch warship from the middle of the 18th century. The Thesis focuses on the methodological issues and the use of the 3D model as a tool in maritime archaeology.Show less
Advances in digital recording technology make it possible to document three-dimensional data during excavation. Yet this opens up the question: what do we do with this data? Is there an added value...Show moreAdvances in digital recording technology make it possible to document three-dimensional data during excavation. Yet this opens up the question: what do we do with this data? Is there an added value to recording 3D data that exceeds traditional 2D drawing approaches? Various 3D GIS workflows have been introduced over the years, yet little research has been done exploring the analytical possibilities of this approach. This thesis presents an effective workflow for creating a vector-based 3D GIS model that is capable of operating in the four subsystems of GIS: data entry, data storage, analysis, and visualization. Three excavation trenches from the Chalcolithic site of Chlorakas-Palloures, Cyprus are modeled using TS spatial data and 3D photogrammetry models. Moreover, three methods are introduced for modeling the volume of stratigraphic units using the capabilities of Esri ArcScene. This approach presents a significant advantage over 2D plan and section drawings in regards to stratigraphic analysis. The excavation database can be joined within the 3D GIS environment and easily queried, thus creating a complete 3D spatial database of all excavated materials. Using this method, it is possible to find spatial correlations between units in trenches that may have been excavated at different times. Furthermore, unit relations identified in the field can be visualized and verified in an intuitive, user-friendly interface. Along with being able to depict features and materials found within the interior of the trench, models can be cross-sectioned at any angle and in any direction to show the stratigraphic sequence. This is particularly helpful in aiding in the stratigraphic studies of Chalcolithic sites in Cyprus which have characteristically shallow occupation layers and are subject to extensive post-depositional processes. Stratigraphic analysis of the modeled trenches provides evidence of multiple occupation phases at the site, thus supporting the idea of dynamic settlement patterns during the Late Chalcolithic period in Cyprus. However, the ability to create a 3D GIS model is predicated on the quality and type of data recorded in the field. Volumetric modeling methods showed promise for depicting certain types of features, yet these must be improved in order to accurately represent the volume of all excavated units. An ideal documentation method is introduced that addresses these deficiencies and presents a means of capturing the volumetric data needed for creating a true 3D GIS model for stratigraphic analysis.Show less
This research answers the questions: how suitable are NoSQL databases for funerary archaeology and what are the advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional relational databases? This...Show moreThis research answers the questions: how suitable are NoSQL databases for funerary archaeology and what are the advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional relational databases? This question will be answered using a comparison. Funerary data from six archaeological sites from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B in Southern Levant are used to provide comparative data. This period is best known for the so-called 'Skull Cult', a ritual in which the crania of recently buried family members were dug up to cover them with plasters, before being buried with other crania. The current theory states that this ritual together with several other characteristics indicate that the funerary rites were standardised. Most researchers mention that the buried individuals were often on their side and in a foetal position. The database used in this study was created to test this consensus. In this study, however, testing this theory is second to comparing and assessing the different databases systems. Archaeologists start using relational databases during the 1970s and 1980s. Since then, various database programs have been created and introduced in archaeology, more often unsuccessful than successful. Since archaeological data can only be studied once in its primary form, it is essential to store the data carefully and sustainably. To facilitate this, archaeologists are often looking for new software and hardware. In the ICT world, a new database system has been on the market since 2005 called NoSQL. NoSQL is a term for database systems that do not use SQL and are often used for projects that expect a lot of data. In this research, the NoSQL databases Document store and Graph store are compared with the relational database Microsoft Access. This research studies the mechanics of this different databases. A number of results have emerged from the research. The input per database type is very different. The loose structure of the document store makes it easy to store data in a clear document without taking it out of its original - often written on a form-written context. Both the graph and the document store leave space for creating attributes and separate data. Nevertheless, the graph store and the relational database look alike. Both databases retrieve the data from the original context and place these in different tables. Additionally, both make use of relations between the data. However, these relationships may contain data in the graph store, allowing a more thorough investigation into the relationships between certain archaeological units. The way in which queries are made also differs per database. However, this does not affect the final results, which have remained the same for all three types of databases. This makes the NoSQL databases suitable for funerary archaeological data. In conclusion, the NoSQL databases are suitable for funerary archaeology. Moreover, each database has its advantages and disadvantages, which makes them highly suitable for different tasks.Show less
