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An important use for the HARLS-CS is expanding the research underway involving multi-sensor fusion of geophysical and remotely sensed data sources for characterization of the subsurface properties of unexcavated archeological sites. Kvamme and associates have been actively involved in the application of a suite of geophysical systems to archeological site characterization and detection (Kvamme 2001) including magnetometry, resistivity, and ground-penetrating radar. With support ($850,000) from the Department of Defense's Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) this work has been expanded to allow integration of thermal sensor (Palm-IR 255) and QuickBird satellite multi-spectral imagery and the application of data source fusion methods using object based approaches. The acquisition of the HARLS-CS will provide significant new capabilities in this arena. Multispectral data provided by the satellites are much coarser than the data provided by the geophysical sensors. Acquisition of multispectral data at a very large scale will substantially enhance this research. Micro-topography is also critical, but creation of high resolution topographic maps is very costly and time consuming using traditional total station based mapping. The HARLS-CS allows rapid micro-topographic mapping. The Archeo-Imaging Lab is devoted to the field acquisition and development of methods for state-of-the-art subsurface imaging of archeological sites (Kvamme 2001). Currently, the activities of the Lab focus on sub-surface remote sensing through use of traditional geophysical instruments. The HARLS-CS equipment offers new capabilities that expand what the Lab is able to do. For example, a transit is currently employed for ground control. In addition to its slowness, it is highly inaccurate compared to electronic distance and GPS technologies like the Trimble TS5600/5700/5800 Total station/GPS. Mapping of surface topography is a laborious and time-consuming task with a mechanical unit, even when sampling at a coarse one meter resolution and mapping relatively small regions. The Optech ILRIS-3D laser profiler offers accurate, high resolution surface measurements over large areas very rapidly. The multispectral capability of the Duncan Systems MS4100 allows remote sensing projects of the Lab to move into another dimension, above the ground. Placement in the boom lift or in the air allows area coverage of multispectral reflected radiation characteristics, adding significant new capacity in our ability to see beneath the soil. Together with new software capabilities that the system provides, it is possible to advance remote sensing frontiers by "fusing" new data types with extant ones, yielding a more comprehensive picture of the subsurface. The Arkansas Archeological Survey is conducting research on Native American petroglyphs and pictographs (rock art) in Arkansas. Rock art elements occur mostly on rock faces and in rock shelters. It is extremely difficult and time-consuming to produce detailed maps of rock faces and rock shelters using traditional total stations. The HARLS-CS laser profiling equipment greatly reduces the amount of time needed to map these geological features. The Arkansas Humanities Council funded rock art research in FY2002. A proposal was submitted by the Survey in September 2002 to the National Endowment for the Humanities to continue to support this research. The Survey is currently involved in historic and archeological research at the Lakeport Plantation in Chicot County in advance of the restoration of the plantation buildings. The HARLS-CS greatly facilitates the mapping of the entire plantation complex, including digital representations of the buildings (c.f. Boehler et al 2000, Fangi et al 2001). The Lakeport project is funded by grants to Arkansas State University from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resource Council. The Survey has an ongoing geophysical remote sensing program at significant mound sites in Arkansas. Micro-topographic maps of these sites are necessary prerequisites to the accurate georeferencing of geophysical data. Even though these mound centers have been well known and a central part of the literature there are no detailed topographic maps of the great majority. The HARLS-CS provides rapid and highly accurate maps of these important sites. |