Application of LIDAR technology at El Shincal de Quimivil, Londres, Catamarca

Abstract

The aim of this article is to assess the potential that LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) has for the study of archaeological sites. In doing so, we present our recent research on the site of El Shincal de Quimivil and watershed of the Zapata mountain range, Department of Belén, Province of Catamarca. This is the first research that employs this technology at an archaeological site in the Argentine Republic. LIDAR technology is based on the emission and registration of reflected laser light which thereby allows the identification of different levels of data that the beam finds across its path. This property makes it possible to detect a priori constructions hidden by layers of vegetation. The use of this methodology in different parts of the world has led to the discovery of previously hidden structures and archaeological sites in recent years. The results of our study revealed the presence of new, previously unregistered, archaeological structures at the site, and the generation of a high-resolution Digital Terrain Model (DTM).