Seminar: 'Beyond Hillshade' - LiDAR visualisation techniques in Orkney

This month’s free research seminar features Crane Begg, from the Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology, who will discuss his project to evaluate different visualisation techniques using LiDAR in Orkney.

The analysis focused on Orkney’s “National Scenic Area” – an area covering 244 square kilometres of Hoy and the West Mainland and incorporating the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) uses laser light to measure distances and create detailed maps of an environment.

Previous research has demonstrated LiDAR’s potential to enhance mapping and the recognition of archaeological features – from individual sites to the wider landscape.

The primary goal of Crane’s study was the evaluation of various visualisation techniques, not only within a distinct landscape such as Orkney, but across the diverse landforms in that landscape. This aims to enhance our knowledge of the archaeological features in Orkney’s National Scenic Area and establish, through the creation of the digital landscape, new resources for current and future researchers.

Beyond Hillshade: Case studies in the evaluation of LiDAR visualisation techniques within the National Scenic Area of Orkney takes place at 4pm on Friday, March 31.

For those who can’t make it on the day, the seminar will be recorded and posted here as soon as possible thereafter.