Archeology from the Air

[Le Saboteur]

I first came across the idea of using remote sensory in modern archeology a couple of years back. Specifically speaking, in Jurassic Park -- Dr. Grant was using a version of radar while excavating velociraptor skeletons -- but it wasn't until a few years ago during Dr. Albert Lin's search for Genghis Khan's tomb that I heard of it being used in actual archeological work.

Today a husband and wife team have used lidar (light detection and ranging) to help determine the length and breadth of the ancient Mayan city of Caracol, reputed to be one of the largest cities in the lowlands. While it certainly takes more of the romance out of archeology, the technology has the potential to be quite useful in future excavations. Especially in heavily forested areas across the globe. Does it replace actually digging in the dirt? No, but administrators are bound to love it.

The attached podcast has an interview with the husband and wife team, and you can read the accompanying article over at The New York Times' site.



And if you're interested, one of the people in the article, has published a book that "focuses on the practical application of remote sensing and how it can be applied to ongoing archeological work around the globe." Check it out here. In depth information on the dig in process can be found over at the site's site.

[time-raider]

Back when the fourth Indy movie came out, the history channel did a whole lot of shows on real life Indiana Jones'. In one of those programs I remember seeing something about NASA using satellites they had in orbit around the earth to take photographic images around the Yucatan. they used thermal imaging, and located all of the known archaeological sites(all of the pyramids and stuff). then using what they learned from those images they found a lost pyramid in the middle of the jungle. Its wickedly cool stuff. especially for those select few people in the world who enjoy the idea of archeaology, but can't seem to get away from our modern world. "close a door... open a window"

[Ironclaw]

I saw an article on this, something about using satellites to find the lost city of Zinj in the Amazon:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6982391.ece

[Indy's brother]

With technological advancements like this to enhance modern archeology, those 13 crystal skulls are as good as found.

[Ironclaw]

Nah, what we should be doing is looking for Cobra's obsidian cubes.