Data Integration in Archaeological Prospection - A Synthetic Approach

Geophysical data integration in archaeological research is an emerging topic. As researchers increasingly have better access to multiple geophysical sensors it is now possible to use numerous techniques in order to explore different physical characteristics of buried phenomena. In return, a feature which is “invisible” to one sensor might be detected with another sensor so that a complete inventory of buried features might be achieved. Current research, however, usually investigates results of prospection in isolation and follows a simplistic comparative approach. In fact, “true” data integration in archaeological prospection may offer more information than sensors can individually provide (i.e. 1 1=3). Variations in spatial layouts and physical characteristics of material culture, post-depositional processes, and complexity of natural background, all add significant task for the interpretation of archaeological prospection results. Therefore, evaluating the success of data integration remains as further challenge. In order to overcome this difficulty we can create a controlled environment with the help of geophysical model simulations. Artificially induced noise levels over simulation data may mimic complex natural environments and a measure of success may be calculated with the help of an original image.