Airborne LiDAR acquisition, post-processing and accuracy-checking for a 3D WebGIS of Copan, Honduras

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2015.11.005
• Publication Date: 2015-11-15T00:00:11Z
• Authors: Jennifer von Schw...; Heather Richards-...; Fabio Remondino; Maria Grazia Spera; Michael Auer; Nicolas Billen; Lukas Loos; Laura Stelson; Markus Reindel
• Keywords: Data Integration; Computer and Systems Architecture; LiDAR; 550; and Archaeology; Geographic Information Sciences; Other History of Art; 930; Maya Archaeology; Urban Studies and Planning; Digital Humanities; Remote Sensing; 3DWebGIS; Latin American Languages and Societies; Architecture; 0601 history and archaeology; Landscape Archaeology; 06 humanities and the arts; 15. Life on land; Landscape Architecture; Spatial Science; Landscape archaeology; Settlement Patterns; Maya archaeology; Data integration; Copan; Settlement patterns; Archaeological Anthropology

Abstract Archaeological projects increasingly collect airborne LiDAR data to use as a remote sensing tool for survey and analysis. Publication possibilities for LiDAR datasets, however, are limited due to the large size and often proprietary nature of the data. Fortunately, web-based, geographic information systems (WebGIS) that can securely manage temporal and spatial data hold great promise as virtual research environments for working with and publishing LiDAR data. To test this and to obtain new data for archaeological research, in 2013, the MayaArch3D Project ( www.mayaarch3d.org ) collected LiDAR data for the archaeological site of Copan, Honduras. Results include: 1) more accurate archaeological maps, 2) identification of unrecorded archaeological features, 3) an assessment of combining LiDAR and ground-checking to increase data accuracy in ecologically and topographically diverse landscapes, and 4) new LiDAR datasets that are hosted in a 3D WebGIS and integrated with other archaeological data to enhance data accessibility and collaborative research.