Kentucky GIS Conference 2024

During the summer of 2024, I introduced new GNSS systems, LiDAR and photogrammetric scanning, and UAV-borne laser scanning into my archaeological research in northern Yucatan. Previous research focused on a Maya imperial capitol that collapsed in a civil war around A.D. 1450. My current project investigates the changing and variable household economic and social organization of Maya peoples living in the aftermath of the imperial collapse and expansion of Spanish power. I began with locating and excavating a group of early colonial households. GNSS systems with NTRIP corrections simplify fieldwork and increase the precision of mapping. A Pix4D ViDoc RTK Rover facilitates 3D mapping of small features and excavation units. UAV-borne LiDAR scanning of three areas of 400 x 400 meters is being used to locate initial excavation targets. I describe in this presentation how I implemented these technologies and the challenges that arose under rural tropical field conditions.