Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Photogrammetrics as a Tool for Archaeological Investigation in 19th Century Historic Archaeology

Abstract

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and photogrammetrics are a growing part of the archaeological toolkit. They provide a low cost tool to aid in the collection and analysis of aerial imagery. To test the applications of this technology, I completed a partial survey of Aurora, Nevada. Using a UAS, I collected images for three city blocks during the summer of 2015. Using photogrammetric software, I have analyzed the collected image data by creating orthophotomosaics and 3D models of the site. With these models, I have been able to examine topography, foundations, and house lot locations to explore the relationship between historic building material and the remains currently seen on the ground. This thesis shows the methods employed in the collection of aerial imagery and data processing, and the multitude of ways researchers can analyze this data to evaluate archaeological sites.