Abstract

The dynamic environmental history and relative sea level (RSL) changes experienced on the Northwest Coast of North America during the early post-glacial period and the early Holocene resulted in significant archaeological visibility challenges for prospection of early coastal archaeological sites. This study offers an integrated methodological approach in support of locating palaeo-coastal sites by combining: (1) geomorphic interpretation of landscape attributes captured by LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) mapping; (2) GIS-based archaeological site potential mapping; and (3) local RSL history. The RSL history for the study site (Quadra Island, British Columbia, Canada) shows notable regression over the past 14,300 years from a highstand of at least 197 m resulting from post-glacial isostatic rebound. Late Pleistocene and early Holocene palaeo-shorelines are found inland from, and elevated above, modern sea level and represent key areas for archaeological prospecting. Bare-earth Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) derived from the LIDAR dataset were interpreted to identify palaeo-shorelines at 10 m and 30 m above mean sea level. A GIS-derived map was created to identify regions of high archaeological potential. Field validation suggests that this integrated methodology provides a promising approach for archaeological prospection that could be applied to other post-glacial coastal settings.

摘要

在后冰河期早期和全新世早期，北美西北海岸经历的动态环境历史和相对海平面 (RSL) 变化给早期沿海考古遗址的勘探带来了重大的考古能见度挑战。本研究提供了一种综合的方法论方法，通过结合以下方式来支持定位古海岸遗址：（1）激光雷达（光探测和测距）测绘捕获的景观属性的地貌解释；(2) 基于GIS的考古遗址潜力测绘；(3) 本地 RSL 历史记录。研究地点（加拿大不列颠哥伦比亚省夸德拉岛）的 RSL 历史显示，在过去 14,300 年中，冰川后等静压回弹导致的至少 197 m 的高位发生了显着的退化。晚更新世和早全新世古海岸线位于现代海平面的内陆并高于现代海平面，是考古勘探的关键区域。来自 LIDAR 数据集的裸地数字地形模型 (DTM) 被解释为识别平均海平面以上 10 m 和 30 m 的古海岸线。创建了 GIS 派生地图以识别具有高考古潜力的区域。现场验证表明，这种综合方法为考古勘探提供了一种有前途的方法，可以应用于其他冰后海岸环境。来自 LIDAR 数据集的裸地数字地形模型 (DTM) 被解释为识别平均海平面以上 10 m 和 30 m 的古海岸线。创建了 GIS 派生地图以识别具有高考古潜力的区域。现场验证表明，这种综合方法为考古勘探提供了一种有前途的方法，可应用于其他冰后海岸环境。来自 LIDAR 数据集的裸地数字地形模型 (DTM) 被解释为识别平均海平面以上 10 m 和 30 m 的古海岸线。创建了 GIS 派生地图以识别具有高考古潜力的区域。现场验证表明，这种综合方法为考古勘探提供了一种有前途的方法，可应用于其他冰后海岸环境。