Finding Old Stuff with New Technology: Drones in Archaeology

Drones have many applications, are considered by many fields and disciplines to be incredibly useful tools. In my first drone post, I provided an overview of many issues associated with drones. In closing my first post I hinted I would author future posts, offering some current or potential uses. Some of the applications I identify are currently using, with potential for growth; other applications are more future-looking, not in place today, but perhaps in the not-so-distant future.

Drones have been widely used throughout Europe beginning in 2009, perhaps earlier. Prior to the use of drones, manned aircraft were used for evaluating and cataloging archaeological sites. Some of these early imagery collection efforts date back to the 1930s, with the use of fixed-wing aircraft and photography. Some early efforts also used manned balloons and photography.

Early efforts to gather imagery of archaeological sites were costly and time-consuming. A plane had to be hired, a pilot acquired perhaps paid, along with associated fuel costs. Photographs taken might not be adjusted for problems with scale arising from the camera's look-angle, or influences of terrain. Storage of film materials becomes problematic over time, as the film can degrade over time and rendered useless.

Unmanned aerial systems (UASs) provide several well-documented enhancements over conventional airborne collection, efforts, e.g. piloted planes. UASs can be carried within a suitcase, for example. Models have HD front- and bottom-facing cameras. Some models fly for perhaps 12-15 minutes. Many of the smaller, light-weight models are based on hobby airframes, made of carbon composite materials. The power cells are rechargeable NiCd batteries, powering tiny electric motors. Some models are capable of flying for long durations, 30-60 minutes. These cost more than small universities and college can afford, though.

The Parrot Drone 2.0

Smaller UASs are able to carry user-installed USB drives. The USB drive stores HD video aboard the UAS, extracted after the drone returns to ground. Many of the UASs available today can be flown from a tablet or smartphone. 

One such UAS, the Parrot Drone (Parrot, Inc.) weighs about 4lbs, carries two HD 720p cameras, and can be flown from an Android tablet (Kindle Fire), an Apple iPad, or an Android/iOS-powered smartphone. Live streaming video is sent to the remote control via a secure WIFI connection. The Parrot captures HD video on a user installed USB drive, while pics can be captured during flight straight to the remote control device. The Parrot documentation suggests maximum flight distance from the pilot is about 50m (150ft). Flight time is about 12 minutes with a full charge.

Aurora Flight Systems SKATE UAS

Some U.S. schools have engaged in inter-disciplinary cooperation. Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, TN., has developed a UAS project based upon the Aurora Flight Systems SKATE platform. In 2012, Vanderbilt garnered some publicity for the use of the SKATE over ruins in Peru.

Archaeologists in the United States are well-behind their European counterparts in the use of aerial systems for mapping, analysis, cataloging, and overall research of North American archaeological sites. Since at least 2009, Italy, France, and the UK have all initiated both academic and national archaeological research projects specifically with UASs in mind.

The Mirkovo Basin research utilized the Quest Systems 200 UAV

In 2012, research sponsored by the Field Museum, Canada, and conducted by Durham University (UK) and the New Bulgarian University (Bulgaria), gathered aerial surveys of important archaeological sites in the Mirkovo Basin (Bulgaria). The unique landscape of the Mirkovo Basin provides over 8,000 years of human settlement history, covering the Neolithic to the modern age of human habitation. Aerial surveys of archaeological sites promises to provide improvements to landscape analysis, cataloging of current sites, with potential use of finding additional unknown sites.

UAS offers fantastic potential for archaeology. Currently, most of the less-expensive UASs are equipped with only HD cameras. More expensive UASs offer thermal imaging capabilities. Thermal imaging technology has the potential to reveal archaeological sites not visible to the human eye. Soil conditions can betray hidden paths, buried foundations, or hint subsurface structures. UASs can be equipped with infrared or multispectral cameras. The human eye, while a wonderful apparatus, is limited in the ability to see wavelengths only between 0.4µm (blue) to 0.7µm (red). Humans cannot see the ultraviolet or the infrared.

When we go outside, we see green trees, grasses, etc., due to the absorption of green electromagnetic (EM) radiation by the 'cone" structures in our eyes. However, vegetation reflects more energy in the infrared portion of the EM. When I tell people vegetation is a poor reflector of green, they look at me like I'm crazy. Chlorophyll response is significantly greater in the infrared than in green, but the human eye cannot see into the infrared. We engineer sensors to reveal the infrared to us, and, in doing so, staying with the domain of archaeology, the sensors can indicate traces of human disturbance. Plants, because they reflect infrared so well, betray changes in soil moisture and chemistry our human eyes are unable to detect. Landscape changes can indicate heretofore undiscovered sites, forts, homes, villages, or cemeteries.

Very expensive drones can be equipped with LiDAR. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) uses lasers to map terrain very accurately. Subtle changes in terrain, when the elevation data are processed and mapped, can be used to analyze historical human landscapes. In some cases, both in Central America and in Southeast Asia, archaeologists have literally walked over archaeological sites without realizing. Only after mapping and surveying, either using ground-based or aerial techniques, did the researchers realize how they had underestimated the size of their study areas.

UASs have the potential to revolutionize archaeology. When coupled with ground survey information, using levels and transits - traditional survey tools, UAVs can provide unparalleled detail for archaeological studies. Geographic information systems, as well as other remote sensing methods, promise to transform the field of archaeology from the stereotypical Indiana Jones stomping around in the jungle, dodging poisonous snakes and toxic darts, to a technology-driven, cutting-edge 21st century digital discipline.

[Archeometry, Department of Geography; Ghent University. The link implies no endorsement. I simply provide as a sample of the peculiar field of archeometry and to illustrate by example the nature of technology use in archaeology.]

Book Review: Ropes of Sand, and, See No Evil

My new tattoo says, "through wisdom, strength." Only through questioning, wondering, researching with open minds can society overcome those elements that seek to undermine our lives. We have to release our egos, biases, judgments, and notions, let them go. As we distance ourselves from these hobgoblins, we can then see them for what they really are, and also the forces that drive them. OK, enough exposition, but there is a reason.

Both books follow a man's life living abroad, working for the United States government. Wilbur Eveland ("Ropes of Sand;" 1980) worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, when the agency was called the Office of Strategic Services. Eveland continued his intelligence career into the CIA. His autobiographical book covers his experiences as a CIA Section Chief in the Middle East.

Robert "Bob" Baer ("See No Evil;" 2002) provided the inspiration for the movie, "Syriana." George Clooney played the part of Baer, though in the movie his name was Bob Barnes. Bob Baer was perhaps one of the best CIA Case Officers during his time with the agency. Most people misunderstand the CIA. Spying is not precisely the business of the CIA. A CIA Case Officer finds local, indigenous people whom they can encourage to provide sensitive information. A Case Officer is like District Manager for Frito-Lay who manages the sales reps who take or deliver orders, keep customers happy, and file reports for the corporate offices. Human Intelligence is what this action is called, and falls within the directive of the National Clandestine Service (NCS), formerly known as the Directorate of Operations (DO) of the CIA.

Both of these autobiographical works share a common theme - the failure of U.S. policy-makers to recognize the importance of Knowledge.

Eveland exposes many policies supported not by facts or knowledge, but supported simply by the sheer will of a select number of people. One such "policy" was the creation of a Jewish Homeland. Today, people commonly assume that all Jews were in favor of the creation of Israel. The reality was much different. Zionist Jews, those that advocated for a Jewish Homeland, comprised less than 10% of the Jewish diaspora. Christians were far more interested in creating a Jewish Homeland than the Jews were, in total. Eveland's work is annotated, referenced, and indexed, creating a scholarly work for a life of intelligence-gathering, a career spanning the end of World War II until Vietnam. {For further reading about this, consult "The Israel-Arab Reader," "Righteous Victims," and "Power, Faith, and Fantasy."}

Baer may have worked with Eveland, as both were Middle East operatives. Not only do their careers overlap, but Eveland was a CIA Section Chief in the Middle East, and Baer was a CIA Case Officer in the Middle East. Baer's job was to find local people who had government positions that were "unhappy" or "concerned" that his/her government was not behaving correctly. These disgruntled individuals, "human intelligence," (HUMINT) would be cultivated into providing information, considered sensitive, to Bob, which he would then pass along to a Section Chief or the Pentagon. New-gained knowledge would then be used to sculpt U.S. foreign policy, used to keep foreign governments honest, or perhaps be used to overthrow a government.

Baer's book is a quick, exciting albeit uncomfortable read. Uncomfortable in the sense that he quickly outlines how diplomacy and satellites replaced boots-on-the-ground, real human-gathered intelligence. He essentially makes the point that satellites and hand-shaking ambassadors, all the while ignoring HUMINT, and closing CIA offices around the world, led to ineffectual data-collection. The absence of human intelligence allowed organizations such as al-Qaeda to develop and mature. The cannibalization of the CIA by the Department of State (diplomats) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), neither of which allegedly has the background or experience in running intelligence operations in foreign countries, created a vacancy of knowledge in which al-Qaeda, et. al., flourished.

The world, in spite of sleek iPhones, XBoxes, and Kindles, is an ugly, dirty place. Satellites, fantastically cool technology, should augment HUMINT, not replace HUMINT. Bob argues that replacing field agents with desk-jockey analysts who never put boots-on-the-ground is like making the restaurant manager the Head Chef – that one can be a chef simply because one knows the restaurant business does not follow. We have seen how terrorists defeat technology from horseback or bicycles, setting up Pony Express-style courier systems and hand-delivering messages and materials.

Without elaborate networks of "friendly" people, the world will continue to be a playground for those who decide to play with an alternate set of rules. The management of HUMINT assets requires people who speak languages, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Farsi, and French, can work "outside the box," and can read people, environments, and situations. However, the networks are of no use if the policy-makers, in their own arrogance, prefer their own counsel.

Listen to legislators, people running for office, or government employees who denigrate the CIA. That person is probably an intelligence failure waiting to happen. Anyone who criticizes the inclusion of foreign languages in Primary or Secondary Education is also a diplomatic and/or intelligence failure. In order to have intelligent thoughts about the world, we have to act in intelligent ways. The only way I know to accomplish this is through the promotion of Education. A little bit of education helps, and more education is always better.

Finally, both authors also suggest that diplomacy has been undermined by global energy interests. Perhaps "infiltrated" might be a better word. Oil and Natural Gas companies drive much of the world's politics. These companies have lobbyists who constantly follow lawmakers. These companies find ways of subverting U.S. or foreign law to work abroad. To which companies do I refer? Name any; no matter. They are all guilty.

"See No Evil" I recommend simply because the events are within most reader's generation, and may have some memory of. Many names may be recognizable. Many events described were memorable - the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut (1983) or the Lockerbie Bombing (1988.) The Lockerbie Bombing (PanAm 103) may have actually been planned in Iran, though Libya was blamed.

I personally would not be surprised if some within the Iranian government, or perhaps the Pakistani ISI, were involved in 9/11.

Shutting down knowledge-gathering efforts, out of fear, out of arrogance, or cultural egotism has proven to be a dangerous, deadly, tragically costly and grievously short-sighted mistake. Knowledge coupled with living experience is power and cannot be replaced with technology. At least, not yet. Augmented with technology, yes. But seeing people eye-to-eye, reading body language, skiing, hunting, fishing, and eating with them, that is how we learn what lies ahead.

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Movie Review: Charlie Wilson's War

Who says one man can't make a difference?

Okay, well, a lot of people say that. What happens when one person tells another that they CAN make a difference, but they have to go to Pakistan first?

What you get, at least in this case, is the US proxy war against the Russians, with Afghanistan the battlefield, and the Afghanis the army.

At the onset of hostilities between the Russians and the Afghanis, just what was the US foreign policy? Uh ... well ... we don't have one, sir. Not exactly true. Our plan, at least according to the CIA Section Chief in Pakistan, was to let the Russians keep killing Afghanis until they completely run out of ammunition. Okay ... what happens when we run out of Afghanis and the Russians still have bullets?

Not really fair for the Afghanis, particularly when the Russians do not belong there, and hundreds of thousands of Afghanis are living in squalor in refugee camps in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the Russians are picking apart cities, villages, and outposts with impunity. Not a fair fight.

Charlie Wilson, a senator from Texas' 2nd district, is an interesting character, more ethical and moral than he lets on. His heart is in the right place, let's put it that way. His mind, however, is engaged in more carnal pursuits. Encouraged by the 6th most wealthy woman in Texas, he visits Pakistan. The Pakistanis think the US assistance in the region is a joke. The Afghanis were given military assistance by the US - WWI issue rifles and ammo - which has no effect on Russian armor. The Pakistanis ask Charlie to visit the refugee camps before his departure.

What he sees changes him, changes his mind, gives him raison d'etre for bringing down the Russians. Working with a rouge CIA operative, Charlie gets U.S. support and begins the takedown of the Russia military, via Afghani rebels.

But at what cost?

Gust has some interesting insight at the movie's end, weaving in some Zen. Make sure and listen to it.

The crazies come back to Afghanistan.

Life Imitates Art: Wishful Thinking

The Independent Republic of Kosovo was born yesterday, much to the chagrin of the Bosnian Serbs. There is great consternation and rage directed towards the new-found republic and religious homeland for the Bosnian Serb Christians.

In fact, so many Bosnian Serbs are outraged at the audacitiy of Muslim Kosovars to declare their independence that they are looking to their heros to help them regain their core region. Cries for Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic are heard openly in the streets and in the papers.

Of course, these "heros" have been identified as war criminals by The Hague, and are on the lam from international police agencies, despite living open lives in Serbian strongholds. Ratko Mladic's visage may be seen on political posters in Macedonia.

On the eve of Kosovo's independence, my wife and I watched the movie, The Hunting Party. The movie came highly recommended by the manager of Video Gold; he and I trade opinions on politically-charged movies from time-to-time. The Hunting Party is loosely based on the real-life story of Scott Anderson and four other intrepid journalists, one of whom is Sebastian Junger, who become confused with a CIA hit squad. The group sets out to "interview" Radovan Karadzic but the endeavor quickly escalates to bringing him to justice.

The movie significantly deviates from the truth, however. In the real effort, five journalists set out to capture Radovan, while in the movie five becomes three. And - spoiler coming - the movie three end up capturing Radovan, while in real-life the five never capture Radovan. Radovan is still living in Serbia, or perhaps Russia by some accounts. His pal, Ratko, is still living in Serbia, protected by the Serbian army.

What the movie appears to have accurately portrayed is the apparent incongruence on the part of the international community in their interest in finding these individuals. Yes, they have warrants out for their arrest. Police and law enforcement officials seemingly know the location of said individuals. Their efforts at apprehension are bumbling, at best, noted by the attempted arrest of Radovan at church that left a clergyman and his son wounded. All true is the advertisement in a Serbian paper, asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of either of the two men to call an 800 number. The 800 number was only accessible to callers from inside the U.S. When asked about the possibility that this blunder could have been deliberate, S. Anderson provides this comment:

"You hear this kind of conspiracy-theory crap about the United States from European journalists all the time. As the only one at the table who'd actually worked for the American government--years ago and briefly--I assured Philippe that Washington was actually capable of far greater idiocy." (Scott Anderson, 2001)

Rather than run up against copyright infringement I have posted a link to the original article, 'What I Did on My Summer Vacation' via the Finding Karadzic blog. Watch the video, then read the article; or vice-versa. One cannot help but note the Hollywood embellishment. And that is the most frustrating:

If only life did imitate art, on occasion, particularly the way the movie Radovan received his just desserts.