The Roles of Data Fusion in the Scientific Process of Archaeological Remote Sensing
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 23/10/2019

The combination and integration, or fusion, of geophysical data has become common practice in archaeological remote sensing. Methods range from the side-by-side comparison of datasets to mathematical and statistical integrations, with goals ranging from data reduction to more complete visualization of multidimensional data. But which of these methods is best for a given goal and situation? In this paper, I take a geographer’s perspective to consider the roles that data visualization and presentation play during the interpretation, collaboration, and publication of remote sensing data. Case studies from multiple sites using aerial imagery, topography, ground-penetrating radar, electromagnetic induction, and magnetic gradiometry are used to show that complex data fusion methods have a valuable place in data exploration and communication among experts. The presentation and publication of results to the broader archaeological community and the public are ineffective when complex illustrations require familiarity with topics such as color theory, statistical derivations, and remote sensing.

 (Eileen Gloria Ernenwein)