Benefits of IFA bursaries: Digital survey techniques in archaeology
IFA workplace learning bursaries are training placements funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and designed to target archaeological skills gaps, while simultaneously aiming to provide members of the archaeological profession with the opportunity to gain new skills. The scheme funds a wide range of posts including methods in archaeological fieldwork and survey to post-excavation and digital archiving work. Bursary holders have an opportunity to work towards a vocational qualification in archaeological practice.
Under the supervision of Graeme Cavers at AOC Archaeology Group, IFA bursary holder Gemma Hudson has gained experience in survey techniques such as short and medium-range laser scanning, differential GPS and total station survey. She has conducted surveys on sites across Scotland varying from historic building recording and landscape survey to experimental archaeology, her work ranging from field survey to data processing and producing the finished article, whether this is 3D data representation, CAD drawing or illustration for the client.
Gemma has built on her existing CAD skills and has produced a wide range of detailed 2D elevation drawings, plans and sections of buildings which she assisted in scanning. She has also got to grips with processing the point clouds produced by laser-scanning and manipulating them for use in AutoCAD or for production of video or image representations. She has gained archaeological survey skills using survey grade GPS and total stations, and has become central to the company’s strategy in disseminating these skills more widely throughout its staff. Other skills include collating, analysing and presenting surveyed data using mapping, GIS and illustration packages such as ArcGIS, AutoCAD and Adobe Illustrator. Using ArcGIS, large data sets are managed to produce data terrain models of various types and to develop find translocation models from experimental archaeology projects. This work feeds into development of AOC survey techniques to ensure we create the best archaeological records possible, as well as providing clients with the most useful data and illustrations, along with improving archiving methods. Gemma is also training other AOC staff to use the survey equipment, embedding survey skills within all AOC fieldwork staff.
Success of the bursary so far is evident from Gemma’s handling of survey data and in the number and quality of surveys that AOC have accomplished using her skills. The placement has developed the skills of the bursary holder, as well as helping to develop and refine the AOC Archaeology Group’s survey expertise more generally.
