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Transamerican Archaeological Imaging Expedition Preserving the Past/Protecting the Future |
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Using Cutting Edge Technology to Record, Monitor, and Protect Archaeological Resources in the Caribbean, North, Central and South America |
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Using new 3D Scanning technology, the Exploration Foundation team will be setting off in 2012 on the Transamerican Imaging Expedition, bringing attention to some of the biggest threats to humanity’s ancient heritage. These threats include:
1) A lack of documentation 2) A lack of any feasible system of monitoring change 3) Environmental change, including climate change, that create new stresses on archaeological sites. 4) A lack of education and awareness of the threats that most archaeological resources face
The Exploration Foundation team explores ways to meet these three challenges with cutting edge, low-cost technology. We will: à Use inexpensive, accurate, and rugged 3D scanning techniques that accurately record and measure archaeological materials, and share this technology with local archaeologists. This allows fast, accurate recording, and easy monitoring of change over time. à Use readily available communications systems to disseminate information as we gather it, and to make it available to everybody, everywhere. à Minimize our own carbon footprint,. We will explore and push the limits of motorized and human powered transportation. We are examining options for expedition gear, focusing on sustainability as well as functionality. All of this is done in a ‘real world’ setting—the solutions have to be feasible and attractive for typical users, in terms of price, convenience, etc. à Maximize media attention and other forms of communication with target audiences—to get the word out about the threat to archaeological resources, but also to demonstrate our methods for ensuring sustainability and local participation. |