Shaping pre-modern digital terrain models: The former topography at Charlemagne’s canal construction site
Johannes Schmidt|Lukas Werther|Christoph Zielhofer
The use of remote sensing techniques to identify (geo)archaeological features is wide spread. For archaeological prospection and geomorphological mapping, Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) on based LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) are mainly used detect surface subsurface features. a tool that scans the with high spatial resolution allows for removal vegetation cover special data filters. Archaeological publications in issues have been rising exponentially since mid-2000s. methodology DTM analyses within geoarchaeological contexts usually “bare-earth” data, although terrain often significantly affected by human activities. However, very restricted case historic hydro-engineering such as irrigation systems, mills, or canals because modern roads, railway tracks, buildings, earth lynchets influence water flows may dissect terrain. Consequently, "natural" pre-modern depth accuracy required palaeohydrological analyses. In this study, we present GIS-based modelling approach generate topographically purged DTM. study focuses landscape around Early Medieval Fossa Carolina, canal constructed Charlemagne one major medieval engineering projects Europe. Our aim reconstruct relief Carolina better understanding interpretation alignment Carolingian canal. input LiDAR-derived DTMs comprehensive vector layer anthropogenic structures affect relief. We interpolated residual points spline algorithm smoothed result low pass filter. reflects shape landscape. To validate ground-truth model, levels recovered soils surfaces buried floodplain deposits, colluvial layers, dam material compared soil modelled calculated overall error. fits surfaces. Furthermore, us model most favourable course minimal volume dig out. This pathway corresponds method offers various new opportunities analysis, which an undisturbed high-precision crucial.
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