Evaluation of LiDAR Visualisation Techniques within the National Scenic Area of Orkney

This thesis evaluates visualisation techniques in the analysis of Aerial LiDAR Survey (ALS)<br/>derived digital elevation models (DEMs) within the National Scenic Area (NSA) of Orkney<br/>which covers 244 km2 and incorporates the |UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Heart Of<br/>Neolithic Orkney. To date there has been no significant analysis nor interpretation of this<br/>LIDAR data for this region as a whole. Previous research (e.g., Stular et al. 2012) has<br/>demonstrated the potential of visualisation techniques which use diverse analytical<br/>approaches, such as Slope Analysis, Aspect Mapping, PCA, etc. to enhance topographic<br/>mapping and recognition of archaeological features at a variety of scales from the individual<br/>site to the wider landscape. The current focal point of research in this field centres on the<br/>development of better algorithms and filters to enhance the processing of the raw LiDAR<br/>data prior to visualisation (Štular et al 2020, 2021). The primary goal of this study is the<br/>evaluation of the various visualisation techniques themselves not only within a distinct<br/>landscape such as Orkney, but across diverse landforms within that landscape, such as low<br/>lying agricultural land and coastal fringes, hillside pastoral land uncultivated uplands. This<br/>research aims to not only enhance our knowledge of the archaeological features and remains<br/>within the National Scenic Area of Orkney, but will also establish, through the creation of<br/>the digital landscape, a new resource, prospection techniques and methodological<br/>developments for current and future researchers. The development of a specific methodology<br/>for the visualisation of LiDAR data across the diverse landforms of the Orcadian landscape<br/>is one which it is envisioned could have wider applications both within the field of airborne<br/>LiDAR survey data visualisation and analysis and as an aid in the creation of a synthesis of<br/>remote sensing prospection techniques and methodologies utilising LiDAR, geophysical<br/>survey, aerial photography and multi spectrum photography.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Master of Research (awarded by UHI)

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Master's Thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of the Highlands and Islands

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Begg, Crane

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Mainland, Ingrid
• Moore, James

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:pure.atira.dk:studenttheses/b23315b4-de04-49bc-8d30-db3e96844ef3

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:pure.atira.dk:studenttheses/b23315b4-de04-49bc-8d30-db3e96844ef3