Gault2015_Photogrammetry

The Gault Site (421BL323) is a multi-component site with virtually every interval in the regional prehistoric record represented. Deposits in different parts of the site result from various mixes of anthropic and geologic processes (fluvial, colluvial, aeolian) as well as pedogenesis. At this site, Dr. Michael Collins and Dr. Bruce Bradley collaborated with SPARC researchers to undertake high-resolution scanning and photogrammetric documentation of an exposed stratigraphy in a 3-m thick section significant for its long archaeological record and particularly for the presence of a substantial pre-Clovis component , situated stratigraphically below Clovis and dated with OSL on aeolian grains from ca. 16,000 to 13,200. As is true of all sites claiming to have evidence for older-than-Clovis occupation, Gault was subjected to intense scrutiny, and supports future independent research on the evidence is seen as essential by the co-PIs. Site formation processes are at the heart of the evidence for integrity of the stratigraphic section, with its pre-Clovis component underlying its Clovis component. Therefore the morphology and topography of the excavated area were recorded carefully, as part of an effort to create the fullest and most detailed possible documentation of the site’s stratigraphy. The results of this project formed the primary framework for integrating all of the broader project’s geologic observations and sampling results.

This project aimed to provide 3D data for the Gault Area 15 excavation, with particular attention paid to the trench and the bedrock. It contains raw and processed laser scanning data captured using a Leica C10 and processed in Leica Cyclone. It also includes photogrammetric data captured using a Samsung NX 2000 DSLR camera and processed in Agisoft Photoscan Pro.

This upload contains the raw and processed photogrammetric data for the trench and Gault 421BL323. Each .zip file contains the raw images for each model as well as a FileList.txt file indexing all files included in the .zip file. The numbered folders contain the image files used in each model and chunk while the models themselves appear outside these folders. Gault_High.psz is a high-resolution point-cloud, Gault_Mid_Optimized.psz is an optimized mid-resolution mesh and Gault_Low.psz is a low-resolution mesh.

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation, Abell-Hanger Foundation, ExxonMobil Foundation, Archaeological Institute of America, Summerlee Foundation, and Texas Historical Foundation along with numerous individuals.