There are exciting things happening at Pueblo Bonito!
Earlier this month, Woods Canyon Archaeological Consultants joined park staff to conduct LiDAR scanning of Pueblo Bonito. What is LiDAR, you may be wondering? LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging, and is sometimes referred to as laser scanning. This technology can be used to gain insight into an archaeological site without disturbing it through digging.
This remote sensing method uses light from a pulsed laser to measure the archaeological site for further documentation. The data from the LiDAR device allows archaeologists to examine both natural and manmade environments with accuracy, precision and flexibility.
Woods Canyon Archaeological Consultants will use the results of the Pueblo Bonito LiDAR scans to fill out Architectural Documentation forms, as well as provide a narrative summary of the architectural dimensions, history, construction details, stabilization episodes, and condition issues.
What's your favorite new technology?
#LiDAR, #PuebloBonito, #Chaco, #FindYourPark, #encuentrtuparque
NPS Photos / Tanachy Bruhns, except photo 4 used with permission of anonymous park visitor.
Image descriptions: 1.) Cory Breternitz from Woods Canyon Archaeological Consultants stands next to the LiDAR equipment outside in front of the canyon walls behind Pueblo Bonito. 2.) Shanna Diederichs from Woods Canyon Archaeological Consultants works on a portable computer; LiDAR equipment is set up in one of the Pueblo Bonito rooms beside her. 3.) Shanna Diederichs stands near the LiDAR equipment while Cory Breternitz sits in one of the rooms of Pueblo Bonito. 4.) The crew stands with the LiDAR equipment in from of the walls of Pueblo Bonito. Left to Right: Cory Breternitz, Tanachy Bruhns, Shanna Diederichs, Harold Suina. 5.) LiDAR scan digital image of the Southwest corner of Pueblo Bonito. 6.) LiDAR scan digital image of one of the kivas at Pueblo Bonito showing a side view. 7.) LiDAR scan digital image of one of the kivas at Pueblo Bonito showing a top view looking down into the kiva.
Original source can be found here.
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