UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS, Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Anthropology

ANTH 4633: ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTING AND REMOTE SENSING

Syllabus, Fall, 2005 (Download PDF)

Instructor: Kenneth L. Kvamme, Professor
Class Meetings: T, 2:00-3:20, Th: 2:00-4:50; Ozark Hall208
Office: Ozark 207/Main 335; phone: 575-4130; e-mail: kkvamme@uark.edu
Office hours: M: 2:30-5, W:2:30-5:00, or by appointment

This lecture / laboratory / field course introduces students to the exciting world of sub-surface detection of archaeological features through remote sensing methods. The course focuses on the use of ground-based geophysics, particularly magnetometry, electrical resistivity, ground-penetrating radar, and electromagnetic induction methods. It emphasizes hands-on use of instruments, through fieldwork and field trips, and data and image processing through GIS and other software. A particular focus is on specialized data and image processing methods, and the use of GIS technology. Other methods examined include low-level aerial and satellite remote sensing, thermography, mapping of microtopography, and integrating methods for comprehensive multidimensional data sets.

READINGS & COURSE MATERIALS

Required Book: (1) Gaffney, Chris & John Gater 2003. Revealing the Buried Past: Geophysics for Archaeologists. Tempus Publishing, Stroud, Gloucestershire , UK .

Optional Books & Materials: (2) Conyers, Lawrence B 2004. Ground-penetrating Radar for Archaeology. AltaMira Press, Lanham , Maryland ; (3) Wilson , D.R. (2000). Air Photo Interpretation for Archaeologists (2nd ed.), Tempus Publishing , Great Britain ; (4) Photocopied package of course materials.

Other Readings : (5) PDF files available on the Class Website; (6) Books on reserve at the Mullins Library Reserve Desk; (7) Articles available in the Anthropology Reading Room.

SOFTWARE:

This class utilizes GIS and a variety of specialized geophysical data processing software (Idrisi, ArcGIS, Surfer, Geoplot, ArcheoSurveyor, GPR_Process, RADAN).The class will utilize the CAST GIS labs located in Ozark Hall 208/209 for all class projects.

CLASS REQUIREMENTS

1. Regular attendance is expected.
2. Students should keep up with class readings.
3. Several class field trips are planned. Each student must attend at least 2 field trips (200 points).
4. Four class projects involving the computer processing and analysis of geophysical and other data. (400 points).
5. Four short quizzes on lectures & readings (200 points).
6. Attend the lecture on October 19, “Mapping the Ancient Maya Landscape from Space,” by NASA’s archaeologist, Thomas Sever (25 points).
7. Term project: Research an archaeological remote sensing technique or project of interest and present it to the class as a 20 minute Power Point presentation (tentatively December 8; 175 points).
8. Undergraduates may drop their two lowest grades in 4-5.

GRADING

A: 90-100%; B: 80-90%; C: 70-80% D: 60-70%; F: below 60% of points.  Grades may be modified upward at the instructor’s discretion.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Academic dishonesty of all kinds, including submitting other’s work as your own, will not be tolerated.  Consult the Fulbright College statement on academic dishonesty.