Mapping early iron production features in woodland using remote sensing techniques

Abstract

Traces of early iron production are commonly recorded when outfield areas are searched for archaeology. A relatively new technique like lidar has made it possible to identify iron production sites from aloft, including charcoal pits associated with pre-industrial production of iron. This paper is about remote sensing, primarily lidar, and how this can be employed in woodland environments to identify and map early iron production. Previous studies with a similar purpose are elaborated on in this study. This is done by applying a series of visualisation techniques developed for archaeological use over the last decade and quantifying the effects of employing such techniques. The study is based on the involvement of two independent archaeologists with lidar experience who interpreted a range of different models. Their effort produced figures used for statistical calculations indicating the added value of adopting various visualisation techniques. The last part of the paper reviews another remote sensing technique, airborne magnetometry, and its potential for identifying slag heaps and similar highly magnetic features present in the landscape. This includes a short description of the initial steps in a test which has not been completed yet.