UAV photogrammetry and GIS in visibility/invisibility interpretations of extended archaeological contexts : the case of Tacuil in the Calchaquí area (Argentina)

ORSINI, CAROLINA; BENOZZI, ELISA; VERÓNICA I. WILLIAMS; ROSSI, PAOLO; MANCINI, FRANCESCO

Drones

MDPI

Lugar: Basel; Año: 2022 vol. 6 p. 1 - 16

2504-446X

The scope and scientific purpose of this paper focuses on multiscale (aerial and terrestrial)photogrammetry as a support to investigations and interpretations in a multi-component archaeological site located in the Argentinian Cordillera (Calchaquí, Salta), known as Tacuil. Due to itsscarce accessibility, as well as long-term problems associated with the interpretation of the visibilityof this type of settlement, the use of aerial surveying was combined with the reconstruction ofstructures and complex soil morphologies by resorting to modern photogrammetric approaches (3Dmodels and orthophotos). This dataset was complemented by a terrestrial survey to obtain extremelyhigh resolution and detailed representations of archaeological features that were integrated in a GISdatabase. The outcome of photogrammetric surveying was fundamental in supporting the debate onthe functionality of the site and his integration in a complex, socially constructed, ancient landscape.Finally, the present paper introduces the first complete map of Tacuil.