Archaeology and historic preservation

Zesmill offers innovative solutions for archeological and cultural heritage preservation, urban planning and tourism management needs, including:

• aerial imaging using surveying-class digital cameras and LiDARs as well as using drones
• large scale topographic and relief mapping
• 3D modeling
• terrestrial laser scanning
• façade and elevation surveys
• stacking out, precise leveling, and electrical resistivity tomography for archeology
• GIS applications

Our equipment inventory includes aerial camera, two terrestrial laser scanners, Trimble V10 imaging rover, geophysical equipment, and numerous surveying instruments.

Archeological remains affect landscapes in different ways, altering erosion and denudation, affecting vegetation, and changing the electromagnetic parameters of soils. Many archeological features covered by plant crops and natural vegetation may be detected by spectral anomalies resulting from mentioned differences. The sites of many Roman and Frankish settlements throughout France, Italy, and England have been discovered through the use of aerial imaging. The famous Nazca Lanes in Peru were first detected from the air. 

Both surface and subsurface features such as basements and wall remains, fosses, and burial mounds can be detected using aerial and satellite images at 10-50 cm resolution. Digital elevation models (DEM) created using LiDAR and digital photogrammetric methods may be also very useful for detection of tumuli, burial mounds (kurgans), ancient walls, channels, and roads. The optimal method for mapping existing remains is a combination of terrestrial photogrammetry and remote sensing (aerial photography or/and LiDAR).

Also Zesmill provide terrestrial laser scanning, “classical” façade and elevation surveys of historic buildings and sites. Created maps and 3D models allow to determine how best to integrate new development into historic architectural complexes.