Jeff Ferguson, Rob Walker and Francisco 'Paco' Gomez at the University of Missouri are part of an interdisciplinary research team using drones equipped with light detection and ranging, or lidar, to study ancient Native American villages called pueblos in the Lion Mountain area of western New Mexico. The team's goal is to better understand the connection between migration and social interaction patterns and pueblo occupations.
Data from drone-based lidar allows researchers to construct detailed images like this of the ground surface. In this image, the rooms of an ancient pueblo are visible, as well as a depression that researchers believe would have marked the location of a kiva inside the pueblo. Credit: Jeff Ferguson and Francisco “Paco” Gomez
Lidar is a technique that uses laser pulses to"map" the ground surface. While drone-based lidar can provide more detailed images of thethan plane-based lidar, the team is exploring whether drones can be used efficiently to conduct the large-scale land surveys needed to search for these sites—efforts that can sometimes encompass hundreds of square miles.
"The chemical composition of the obsidian artifacts can be compared to known natural outcrops and help determine the geologic source of the artifacts," said Ferguson, who also teaches college students how to replicate stone tools."The use of obsidian sourcing can be a good indicator of social and economic interaction in the past."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Utah native invents AI gun detection technology that can be used in schoolsOne Utah native quit his job to work full-time on creating an artificial intelligence gun detection system. 'Omnilert’ can tell the difference between a cell phone, a handgun and a rifle.
Read more »
Native American group demands Commanders reinstate ‘Redskins’ nameThe name of the football team playing in Washington D.C. is once again under question. A group called the Native American Guardian’s Association ...
Read more »
US launches program to provide electricity to more Native American homesThe U.S. government will be putting more money toward getting electricity to Native American communities.
Read more »
Native American youths connect with horses as part of equine therapy program in East CountyThrough a program with the San Diego American Indian Health Center, animal encounters offered by Pine Valley nonprofit help work wonders for young hearts and minds
Read more »
US launches program to provide electricity to more Native American homesThe U.S. government will be putting more money toward getting electricity to Native American communities
Read more »
U.S. launches program to electrify more Native American homesA federal report last year said nearly 17,000 tribal homes were without electricity, with most being in southwestern states and in Alaska.
Read more »