Drones unearth more details about Chaco culture

[The Straight Story]

Recently published research describes how archaeologists outfitted a customized drone with a heat-sensing camera to unearth what they believe are ceremonial pits and other features at the site of an ancient village in New Mexico.

The discovery of the structures hidden beneath layers of sediment and sagebrush is being hailed as an important step that could help archaeologists shed light on mysteries long buried by eroding desert landscapes from the American Southwest to the Middle East. The results of the research were published earlier this month in the Journal of Archaeological Science.

Since the 1970s, archaeologists have known that aerial images of thermal infrared wavelengths of light could be a powerful tool for spotting cultural remains on the ground. But few have had access to million-dollar satellites, and helicopters and planes have their limits.

Now, technology is catching up with demand.

Archaeologists can get quality images from very specific altitudes and angles at any time of day and in a range of weather using inexpensive drones and commercially available cameras that have as much as five times the resolution of those available just a few years ago. A basic eight-rotor drone starts at about $3,700.

http://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/151606/1404220204-lbci-news

[scarletwoman]

1. Ack! For a moment there, I was afraid they were dropping bombs on Chaco Canyon!

I was about to totally freak out!

Whew! Okay, then. They're using heat-sensing cameras - that's great!

Chaco Canyon is one my most favorite places on earth. I've only been there twice, but there's no ignoring what a special atmosphere there is about the place. If they can find out even more about it, and increase our understanding of that culture and that time, that would be awesome!