You can become archaeologists even staying on the sofa. No, I'm not talking about a game of Uncharted or the Harrison Ford's athletic training for Indiana Jones 5. But by Chris Seddon, an English photographer who may have discovered a Neolithic site by looking aerial maps and LIDAR.
Archaeological discovery with aerial maps and LIDAR
Chris Seddon works as a photographer, mainly dealing with weddings and other celebrations. So in recent months he has had little to do, and like many of us he is found a hobby. Armed only with a good internet connection, he set out to explore aerial or LIDAR maps of the surroundings of your home, in Derbyshire, England.
The discovery came thanks to the tLIDAR echnology, which reproduces 3D models of an area by illuminating subjects with a laser light and measuring their refraction with one or more sensors. This method, which actually studies the distances between objects precisely and recreates them in three dimensions, can be used for find remains of structures in the ground, which are now long lost. And it is right what happened to Chris.
The English photographer found something that aroused his interest close to Swarkestone village. A circular construction, reminiscent of the shapes of Stonehenge. Although only visible with LIDAR technology, it seems that the farmers have arranged the crops around this area. It should also be borne in mind that the area studied by Seddon is famous for the its Neolithic finds.
Archaeologists confirm that it could be an important discovery
Having made this discovery, Chris Seddon needed another hobby: archeology. He then signed up for a online course to become experts in the field, Dig Ventures, and asked the teachers what they thought. And he got very encouraging responses. Seddon simply asked whether the site could be a "forgotten Neolithic monument, an ancient river course, or just a drain". And in many, including Lisa Westcott Wilkins, who runs the archeology site, they think is one promising discovery, which is worth investigating with an excavation.
At the moment no excavations can be organized, but as soon as possible, theIndiana Jones online maps he will be able to find out if he has really found something important. If you too want to try your luck as an archeologist, take a look at LIDARfinder. And bring whip and hat, obviously.
Tagsarchaeology LIDAR maps An English photographer became Indiana Jones by staying at home
