by Andrew Williams, Historical Society of Pennslyvania
June 23, 2018

Archaeologists employ many techniques to survey past landscapes, though few are as essential to a project’s success as documenting, cataloging, and sharing found material with image capturing technology.  For our survey in Vayots Dzor, Armenia, we utilized a host of photographic devices and accessories that were graciously lent by the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) Libraries to chronicle our discoveries. This equipment includes a Ricoh Theta 360° camera, Sony Alpha 7 camera, Polaroid photo studio kit, Snakeclamp camera mount, and Samsung S2 Galaxy tablet. We are also indebted to the Library for building and maintaining this Scalar website, the software used on OpenArchaeology.org. Considering our focus on implementing new digital technologies and methods to traditional survey conventions, these tools have played a central role in the facilitation of the project. 

The 360° camera uses two wide-angle lenses to encapsulate an entire landscape within a single image or video. This is extremely useful to researchers as it permits quick and efficient documentation of an area of study. The images produced by the camera, in conjunction with VR technology, allow scholars to revisit areas that are physically out of reach, but still see them in three dimensions. When our team discovered a possible medieval fortress perched above the village of Salli, we used the camera on the site’s highest point to better understand the castle’s history and functionality as a strongpoint that could communicate with other sites embedded in the landscape.  

One of the chief practices of an archaeological survey is the recovery of material culture found on the surface of a landscape. This material, typically pottery sherds, evinces the history of human activity within a certain area. Once found, they are brought to the lab where they are cleaned and photographed. For our project in Armenia, the computer scientists on the team built a groundbreaking smartphone app that can document finds in the field and upload them to our database. A second app allows the Samsung tablet to remotely control the Sony camera and instantly upload find shots taken in the lab to the database. The app, in conjunction with the equipment, helps facilitate the documentation process while simultaneously maintaining an organized catalogue structure. 
 

In order to preserve consistent lighting, color, and scale, it is important for find shots to be taken in a controlled setting. This not only helps researchers distinguish one find from another, but also gives the most accurate representation of the object’s color, shape, and size. The studio kit, which includes lights, backdrops, “tent,” and extendable camera arm, has enabled us to take high quality and consistent photos of our finds in our lab. The example above is a piece of a glazed ceramic bowl, probably dating from the twelfth to thirteenth century AD. 

We are especially grateful to David Toccafondi of the Vitale Media Lab and Sasha Renninger of the Digital Scholarship Group for their help and support.