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Mapping ancient structures and demonstrating integrated archaeological geophysics at Huacas de Moche, Peru

Low, Jared E.
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Abstract
This thesis presents Phase 1 results of a geophysical investigation at the Huacas de Moche archaeology site in Trujillo, Peru. The complete multi-phase study is a collaboration between the Colorado School of Mines (MINES), the Universidad Nacional de Trujillo (UNT), and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS). It is designed to explore the application of geophysics in aiding archaeological investigations at the site and provide information, such as the extent of subsurface archaeological features at Huacas de Moche for future preservation and management strategy. The Phase 1 component here was therefore performed with the initial goals of evaluating the overall effectiveness of geophysics and drone-based sensing at the Huacas de Moche site, interpreting initial results at two test beds with and without active digs, and providing updated guidelines for expanded Phase 2 geophysical surveys across the broader archaeological site. The geophysical and remote sensing techniques deployed at the site include ground penetrating radar (GPR), frequency-domain electromagnetics (FDEM), magnetics, and drone-based photogrammetry. GPR depth slices and 2D profiles, FDEM data, and magnetic maps successfully reveal a broad collection of subsurface structures including walls, floors, and burials throughout these feature-rich survey areas. Follow-up excavations in a portion of the test bed, referred to as “Platform Uhle”, confirm through ground-truthing the presence of many features interpreted from the GPR data. The drone-based photogrammetry survey with resulting orthomosaic maps and digital elevation models likewise provide an additional level of site information as subtle near-surface features, such as shallow depressions within the community urban center. Such features can be delineated in locations that are challenging to recognize and map visually from the surface. Lastly, the results of this investigation reveal that each of the geophysical and remote sensing techniques deployed during this Phase 1 study performed well at Huacas de Moche and that their implementation should be continued and refined for expanded geophysical investigations at this archaeological site during future phases.
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