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Reflecting on siliceous rocks in central Australia: Using advanced remote sensing to map ancient “tool‐stone” resources
Author(s) -
Law Wallace Boone,
Lewis Megan M.,
Ostendorf Bertram,
Hiscock Peter
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
geoarchaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1520-6548
pISSN - 0883-6353
DOI - 10.1002/gea.21776
Subject(s) - arid , geology , geologic map , raster graphics , mineralization (soil science) , remote sensing , archaeology , mining engineering , cartography , geography , computer science , geomorphology , artificial intelligence , soil science , paleontology , soil water
HyMap™ airborne hyperspectral imagery was used to discriminate and map hydrated silica mineralization in the Dalhousie Springs area of central Australia. A spectral feature fitting algorithm was used to match laboratory reference spectra with image pixel spectra, producing a scaled goodness‐of‐fit raster map of silicified “tool‐stone” sources in our study area. Subsequent fieldwork indicated that the algorithm mapped silcrete, a rock composed of hydrated silica, and incidentally, the most frequently utilized raw material for stone artifact manufacture in this area of the Australian arid zone. The soundness of our hydrated silica mineralization map is supported with field observations and spectroscopic analysis of collected silcrete samples. Independent siliceous rock mapping produced by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industry Research Organization offers additional corroboration of our results. Based on the success of our approach, we suggest that archaeologists working in Australia and in similar arid environments elsewhere have much to benefit in using advanced remote sensing products to map lithic resources, including time and cost‐saving advantages for field logistics, enriched assessments of land suitability for archaeological site types, and an improved understanding of resource distributions.