Figure 11 - uploaded by James Talmadge Daniels
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Three-dimensional rendering and overlay of slices 1-30 (~0-208 cmbs) of GPR data from GPR Grid NLPC. GPR Grid NLPD This grid was established in the large Stela Plaza with Structure 4 on the north end, Structure 1 on the east, Structure 2 to the south, and consolidated stairs of Structure 3 abutting the western side of the grid. The grid is 25 x 39 m in size. The transects for
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This thesis, in part, attempts to test the efficacy of nondestructive advanced archaeological techniques as a viable alternative to more costly and destructive strategies of archaeological investigations. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) provides a quick and efficient means to investigate the subsurface of sites of interests without disturbing intact...
Citations
... Turning the focus towards the application of non-destructive techniques more locally employed, there are a number of nondestructive geophysical techniques that have been applied across Belize and more specifically during recent seasons at several locations in connection with sites and projects within the purview of the Programme for Belize Archaeology Project in NW Belize (Aitken 2008;Aitken and Stewart 2004;Aitken et al. 2005;Daniels Jr 2014;Haley 2006;Keller 2012;LeCount et al. 2016;McAnany et al. 2004;Micheletti et al. 2016;Neuhoff-Malorzo 2022, in press-a, in press-b;Neuhoff-Malorzo and Stanley in press;Powis et al. 2017;Sweely 2005;Walker 2012;Xu and Stewart 2002;Yaeger et al. 2009). The use of these techniques is providing a wealth of data that is being used in a number of ways, including analysis of stratigraphic levels at individual settlements, analysis of settlement layout, identification of architectural footprints, and identification of areas of potential for excavation and investigation. ...
The Programme for Belize Archaeological Project (PfBAP), in NW Belize, has recently benefitted from the application of several technologies not often available to archaeology research programs. The use of non-destructive geo-physical and related technologies at several sites has provided the PfBAP with data concerning community structure. These data also inform the interest for future excavations. The developments in isotope research have also benefitted the PfBAP in providing measures for understanding population movement and possible interaction across the NW Belize region. The local variation of strontium and oxygen isotopes in NW Belize is now better understood. The isotope data, from the PfBAP, demonstrates the presence and consistency of immigrants within ancient Maya settlements from NW Belize through time. A third technology that has modified the PfBAP understanding of ancient settlement and activity is the use of LiDAR. Ancient Maya settlements not previously recorded are now more evident as are features from ancient activities including reservoirs, sacbeob, and agricultural fields. The rapid changes in certain technologies and their application to archaeology are seen as beneficial in NW Belize.
... Our comparative collection (Fig. 3) consists of geological samples and analyzed artifacts from: the Mexican sources of Ucareo (n = 20), Pachuca (n = 10), Paredón (n = 10), Pico de Orizaba (n = 12), Otumba (n = 20), Zacualtipan (n = 14), and Zaragoza (n = 10); the Guatemalan sources of San Martín Jilotepeque (n = 26), El Chayal (n = 20), Ixtepeque (n = 24), San Barolome Milpas Altas/San Lucas Sacatepequez (n = 28), and Tajumulco (n = 18; artifacts only); and the Honduran sources of La Esperanza (n = 11; artifacts only) and Güinope (n = 30; artifacts only). This comparative dataset was analyzed at the UCSD Mesoamerican Archaeology Lab using the same calibrated instrument employed to analyze the Guadalupe collection (Daniels, 2014). ...
In the past decade, archaeologists have increasingly made use of photogrammetry, the process of creating 3D models from photographs, in a variety of field and lab settings. We argue that we must, as a discipline, develop a consistent methodology to ensure that 3D models are held to a consistent standard, including not only photographic protocol but also the documentation of model accuracy using an agreed-upon measure. To help develop this discussion, we present our system for incorporating photogrammetry into the documentation of architecture. This technique was developed at the site of Nim Li Punit, Belize, in 2018. Excavating architecture involves documenting the pre-excavated building, liberating overburden, documenting all in situ construction (including wall fall, fill stones, and standing architecture), drawing consolidated architecture, and documenting the final state of the post-excavated buildings. The generation of 3D models greatly assisted in all facets of the excavation, documentation, analysis, and consolidation processes. To ensure that our models were accurate, we documented the reprojection error and final model horizontal distortion to assess the quality of the model. We suggest that documenting both forms of error should become standard practice in any discussion of archaeological applications of photogrammetry.
... There have not been many other geophysical surveys of Maya sites in Belize, but other researchers have noted many of the same difficulties that the authors encountered, such as water saturation causing signal attenuation, gravel layers under plaster floors causing signal scattering, and numerous obstructions such as tree roots [36][37][38][39][40][41]. There have been some geophysical surveys of Maya sites outside of Belize, but generally the lack of GPR surveys limits the use of comparative examples for interpreting the Pacbitun anomalies based on geophysical anomalies in other Maya plaza areas [42][43][44]. ...
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys provide distinct advantages for archaeological prospection in ancient, complex, urban Maya sites, particularly where dense foliage or modern debris may preclude other remote sensing or geophysical techniques. Unidirectional GPR surveys using a 500 MHz shielded antenna were performed at the Middle Preclassic Maya site of Pacbitun, Belize. The survey in 2012 identified numerous linear and circular anomalies between 1 m and 2 m deep. Based on these anomalies, one 1 m × 4 m unit and three smaller units were excavated in 2013. These test units revealed a curved plaster surface not previously found at Pacbitun. Post-excavation, GPR data were reprocessed to best match the true nature of excavated features. Additional GPR surveys oriented perpendicular to the original survey confirmed previously detected anomalies and identified new anomalies. The excavations provided information on the sediment layers in the survey area, which allowed better identification of weak radar reflections of the surfaces of a burnt, Middle Preclassic temple in the northern end of the survey area. Additional excavations of the area in 2014 and 2015 revealed it to be a large square structure, which was named El Quemado.
As archaeological programs call for conservation and preservation the ability to detect the buried features of the archaeological record and conduct targeted excavations have been in greater demand. This demand coupled with developments in equipment and computing power have led to an array of technological advancements making geophysical survey more affordable and reliable. Geophysical techniques have been utilized at a varying rate on the global scale with frequency and overall use dependent on the region in which they are utilized. Across the realm of the ancient Maya, a number of remote sensing techniques have been employed with increasing success. Using ground based remote sensing techniques, one such location currently being investigated is that of Tzak Naab in northwest Belize. This site has been the recent subject of both magnetometer and ground penetrating radar surveys with good results. While this information pertains to only one site, it portends great promise for future surveys. The Tzak Naab case study showcases that the ever-increasing inclusion of geophysical survey allows for more in-depth analysis and faster data collection providing a framework for examination of sites where little to no investigation has taken place.
