Airborne Lidar for Archaeological Survey and Landscape Mapping

Airborne laser scanning has revolutionized how we detect and analyze ancient landscapes, revealing hidden structures beneath dense forest canopies. Understanding how to acquire, process, and interpret this data is now an essential skill for modern archaeological research and cultural resource management. This text-based course guides you from the fundamental principles of light detection and ranging to the practical application of digital elevation models. You will gain the confidence to locate open-access data, apply advanced visualization techniques, and identify archaeological features within complex terrains. What you'll learn: - Understand the fundamental physics, terminology, and data structures of airborne lidar technology. - Acquire and import open-access lidar datasets into modern open-source GIS software. - Generate digital terrain models and digital surface models from raw point clouds. - Apply advanced visualization techniques, such as multi-directional hillshading and local relief modeling, to highlight subtle archaeological features. - Interpret archaeological landscapes and distinguish between modern disturbances, natural formations, and historical structures. - Present lidar data professionally for surveys, reports, and heritage management projects. The course begins with foundational definitions of laser scanning and remote sensing before guiding you through step-by-step written tutorials on data processing, visualization workflows, and archaeological interpretation. Designed for beginners, students, and practicing archaeologists, this course requires no prior experience with spatial analysis. Start reading today to unlock the secrets of ancient landscapes hidden in plain sight.