In recent years, the integration of drone technology and advanced mapping is transforming the way archaeologists explore and analyze sites. Thanks to tools such as LiDAR sensors and multispectral photography, Detailed information about large areas can be accessed without digging., revolutionizing not only fieldwork, but also the interpretation of the vestiges of the past.
This change is occurring not only in large international projects, but also in local initiatives that leverage collaboration between universities, specialized companies, and heritage organizations. Thus, 21st-century archaeology increasingly incorporates digital methodologies and three-dimensional models that allow us to study everything from megalithic complexes hidden under the undergrowth to underground structures on the coast and in the Andes.
Innovation in Andalusia: agreements to advance archaeological research
In the province of Huelva, the University of Huelva and the company Ánfora have joined forces to consolidate the transfer of cutting-edge technologies to archaeological research. The research staff specialized in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), LiDAR and multispectral photography develops methodologies that will be validated in various locations in Huelva and Seville, covering everything from the from the identification of deposits to the interpretation of large territorial groupsIn some cases, such as the discovery at La Torre-La Janera, the collaboration has brought together multidisciplinary teams from several universities, demonstrating the positive impact of integrating drones and precision mapping on the advancement of science.
This commitment to technology also continues on the Cadiz coast thanks to the Vestigium project, coordinated by the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH). Here, prospecting work focuses on intertidal areas threatened by rising sea levels and urban development. Through Drones equipped with lidar sensors and marine geophysics, three-dimensional models of beaches and submerged sites are generated, making Andalusia one of the pioneering regions in the comprehensive study of its coastal heritage. Thanks to these advances, fossil footprints, petroglyphs, and shipwrecks dating back to prehistory have been identified, with the premise that conservation must always go hand in hand with technological innovation.
New interpretations of Peru's Inca past thanks to aerial LiDAR
On the other side of the Atlantic, the The application of LiDAR on drones has completely changed the landscape of Andean archaeology.In the famous Sacred Valley, in Peru, The use of unmanned aircraft equipped with laser sensors has uncovered agricultural terrace systems, secondary roads, and entire settlements. that were hidden under vegetation and not shown on any map. This technique, which involves firing laser pulses capable of penetrating the foliage and recording the relief, provides highly accurate three-dimensional maps and reveals patterns of occupation that have previously gone unnoticed.
The great advantage of these methods is that the work is done without removing the soil or altering the archaeological remains, minimizing environmental impact and reducing time and costs. Any subsequent intervention can thus be focused much more strategically. Furthermore, the amount of data generated encourages Collaboration between archaeology, geography and computer scienceAmong the discoveries are new terraces that demonstrate the Incas' astonishing ability to exploit their land, and secondary routes of the Qhapaq Ñan that help us better understand the logistics and mobility of that civilization.
These discoveries also bring new challenges. need to protect sites located by drones This is more urgent than ever, as the spread of their existence exposes them to the risk of plunder or accidental destruction. Experts emphasize the importance of working alongside local communities and developing sustainable management plans adapted to this new digital reality.
Methods for the conservation and study of heritage
The development of 3D models and high-resolution mapping It is key not only for research but also for dissemination and conservation of heritageInitiatives such as Vestigium in Andalusia or the projects in the Peruvian Sacred Valley demonstrate that scientific progress can be accompanied by outreach and education strategies. Digital models make it possible to recreate the original state of archaeological sites and convey their value to both the scientific community and the general public.
On the other hand, the use of drones, advanced sensors and data analysis has placed regions such as Andalusia and areas of the Andes at the forefront of the study of intertidal heritage and large archaeological landscapesOther relevant aspects include new dating techniques and biological analyses applied to the remains found, which expand our knowledge of the uses and evolution of the territory over millennia.
Collaboration between universities, specialized companies, and research centers is driving a future where technological innovation and heritage protection go hand in hand. Thanks to the integration of drones, advanced mapping, and data analysis, previously inaccessible areas are now being explored, unseen structures are being discovered, and the management of cultural resources is being optimized, facilitating greater understanding and preservation of our shared past.