INTEGRAL 3D RECORDING

AND POSITIONING SYSTEM

FOR FIELDWORK IN

ARCHAEO-PALEONTOLOGICAL

EXCAVATIONS

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Photo: Jordi Mestre/IPHES

ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS IN THE ATAPUERCA MOUNTAINS (BURGOS, SPAIN)

“The ARCH·e system project is a technological solution to the disadvantages affecting archaeological excavations as a result of traditional protocols, that is to say, the use of an archaeological network and the comprehensive recording of data (description of the object, drawing, photograph, positioning…). The Arch-e system is composed of various subsystems that share the same data structure, making it possible to integrate the whole. Specializing in the data recording, it adapts perfectly well to the protocols and needs of the Pleistocene archaeological excavations as well as paleontological excavations in general”

Eudald CarbonellCo-director of Atapuerca

GENERAL VIEW OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION AT THE GRAN DOLINA SITE. COMPUTERIZED DATA RECORD

AUTOMATED GATHERING OF THE 3D POSITIONING OF THE OBJECTS WITH AN ACTIVE PRISM

TRIMBLE S8 ROBOTIC TOTAL STATION DURING EXCAVATION

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ARCH·e System Fieldwork is a set of computer tolls for recording and managing data

during archaeological excavations, simplicity, versatility and safety in a wireless environment

(WIFI) being its main characteristics.

Developed at the IPHES (Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution) and

the Rovira i Virgili University, in collaboration with Al-Top Topografía for the integration

of the robotic surveying, ARCH·e System Fieldwork is aimed at recoding and managing

archaeological field data. ARCH·e System Fieldwork incorporates the technologies needed

for computerizing, automating and systematizing data recording. Its intuitive character

makes it easier to use configure without any need of special computer knowledge.

Organized around a database, it has tools for management, automatically capturing 3D

coordinates, printing identification labels, editing and exporting data in various formats. It

also permits displaying stratigraphic and object scattering plants, both of the work in course

and of the database records. All of this is done with a real-time follow-up of transactions

and errors, aiding their resolution in source. Thanks to a fully wireless environment, it can

adapt to any work situation, whether outdoors or indoors.

ARCH·e System Fieldwork exists in three versions: PLUS, for an automated gathering of

3D coordinates with the use of an automated total station; STANDARD, with the manual

gathering of 3D coordinates; and MINI, for an autonomous use that does not need to

synchronize the data with a central computer. All versions are multilingual.

Photo: Jordi Mestre/IPHES

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WHAT IS ARCH·e SYSTeM FIeLDWORK?

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ARCH·e SYSTeM FIeLDWORK

ARCH·e System fieldwork has been conceived for recording data in archaeo-paleontological excavations, the purpose of which is to improve the recording times, systematize the procedures and guarantee the reliability of the data. The system, organized around a database, integrates all materials and programs for the benefit of efficient recording (management and control of information flows, customized forms, error follow-up, 2D display of plans and sections, etc…). Its modular structure makes it possible to implant it in accordance with actual needs taking costs and efficiency into account. The different configurations (Plus, Standard and Mini) were conceived for solving situations taking

ARCH·e desktop is the system’s main application. It integrates the database, the procedures pertaining to maintenance, configuration tools and data analysis (elaboration of plans and stratigraphic profiles). ARCH·e desktop is a data management graphic environment that offers both the administrator and the user a comprehensive control over data, system configuration and data flow between the different subsystems, guaranteeing optimal coordination.

ARCH·e PDA is the computer application executed in the terminal of the PDA. This application contains the procedures for data recording. The application executes the controls established for guaranteeing the coherence of the data and establishes the communication with the ARCH·e desktop for different tasks: sending data, consulting records, requesting the taking of a position with an automated total station (Plus version) or printing labels. In addition to the data recording, the ARCH·e PDA contains functions for gathering isolated survey points, elaborating “survey layouts” (lines and circles) and recording multimedia information (non-formal data): photo, voice and video.

ARCH·e locus (only available in Plus version) is a module specializing in controlling the automated total station for gathering 3D coordinates. The ARCH·e locus is executed in two parts: the first within the environment of the ARCH·e desktop and the second within a Trimble controller. The controller is in charge of communicating with the automated station, conveying the requests made by users from the PDA and returning the results of the measurements made. The ARCH·e locus acts transparently for the user. It is possible to monitor the activity of the ARCH·e locus from the ARCH·e desktop.

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into account the specifications of each archaeo-paleontological site as well as the characteristics of the development of fieldwork, its main features being its wireless character (private WiFi network), simplicity in execution, configuration and maintenance. Independently of the configuration chosen, ARCH·e System fieldwork guarantees an equality in procedures and a high level of reliability.

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Captures of ARCH·e desktop

Captures of ARCH·e PDA

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WORKFLOW

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COMPUTeRThe computer is the centre of the communications between all elements of the system, containing the database and procedures for their management, modification and consultation of the work processes. Moreover, the computer acts as the center of the communications between the system elements. The computer manages the user requests for measuring coordinates with the total station and stores all the information sent by the user from the PDA in the database.

PDAThe PDA contains an application (ARCH·e pda) that specializes in recording data. Moreover, this application makes it possible to record multimedia objects (video, photos or voice), carry out the surveying of the structures or gather individual points. The user fills in the appropriate forms and sends the field computer the data so that they may be stored and labels may be printed for the identification of the objects. The application of the PDA has been conceived to constantly guarantee the integrity and homogenization of the data.

TSC2 TeRMINALThe Trimble Terminal TSC2 contains the ARCH·e Trimble computer application, which processes the coordinate measurement requests made by user from their PDA’s. The TSC2 terminal serves as the communication module between the ARCH·e System and the automated station.

AUTOMATeD TOTAL STATION At the request of the user from the PDA, the request order reaches the automated total station via the TSC2 terminal and the measurement process begins. This total station searches the prism indicated in the request and carries out the measurement. The measurement data are sent back to the user PDA and stored in the computer database. The automated total station does not require somebody with continuous experience in its use.

PRISM The active prism, duly identified, is placed on the measurement point and waits for the total station to carry out the appropriate measurements and return the information to the user. The prism does not intervene in the data flow. PRINTeR The printers used by ARCH·e system fieldwork have the purpose of protecting the labels included in the bags or wrappings that protect the objects recovered during the excavation. The function of these labels is that of permitting a quick identification of the object. These printers have wireless capacity (via WiFi or Bluetooth) although they can also be directly connected to the field computer via USB.

DATABASe The database used by ARCH·e system fieldwork constitutes the heart of the system. The field version is identical to the general version of the ARCH·e system and makes it possible to manage the data in an easy, transparent manner. The field version of the ARCH·e system database is perfectly functional and it can be synchronized, if necessary, with the cabinet version. The data can be exported to different formats (TXT, CSV, ODS,…), allowing users to import them into the database of their choice.

WIFIThe communication of the different ARCH·e fieldwork modules is wireless. It has an encrypted network of its own that makes it possible to transfer data between the different system modules with absolute safety.

ARCH·e FIeLDWORK DeSKTOP The ARCH·e desktop is the computer application conceived for the management of the database and for the data flow between the user and the different operative modules (total station, printer, database, etc….). Moreover, the ARCH·e desktop has a series of graphic and consultation functions for following up on the errors as well as for elaborating object concentration maps, object listings, etc…

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WORKFLOW AND SYSTeM eLeMeNTS

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PLUS STANDARD MINIAPPLICATION VeRSION VeRSION VeRSION

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STANDARD

MINI

Material requirements

PDA

Portable computer

Label printer

Wifi router

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PDA

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Material requirements

Trimble Total Station S Series

Trimble TSC2

Trimble active prism

PDA

Portable computer

Label printer

Wifi router.

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VeRSIONS

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The ARCH·e system fieldwork has been used for re-cording the field data in various archaeological si-tes. Its integration has been quickly adapted to the work speed and improving, in each case, important aspects in the standardization of data recording and homogenization.

Computerizing the work processes now lies within the reach of all archaeologists thanks to the high-performance and high-accuracy integrated tools. Its easy, intuitive use breaks technical barriers and makes it easy to handle the applications even among those without advanced technical knowledge.

GRAN DOLINAATAPUERCA MOUNTAINS, BURGOS, SPAIN

eL MILLARCáCERES, SPAIN.

WORKING SITeS

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eL MIRADOR CAVeATAPUERCA MOUNTAINS, BURGOS, SPAIN.

CAVe OF THe TOIXONeReS BARCELONA, SPAIN.

CAVe OF TOLLBARCELONA, SPAIN.

WORKING SITeS

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VANGUARD CAVeGIBRALTAR.

ORCeGRANADA, SPAIN

ABRIGO De NAVALMAHILLOMADRID, SPAIN

• DATE RECORDING UNDER CONTROL

• WIRELESS SYSTEM

• SAFETY AND INTEGRITY OF DATA

• EASE OF USE

• MULTIMEDIA CAPACITY

• AUTOMATED CAPTURE OF 3D COORDINATES

• MULTILINGUAL SYSTEM

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INTEGRAL 3D RECORDING

AND POSITIONING SYSTEM

FOR FIELDWORK IN

ARCHAEO-PALEONTOLOGICAL

EXCAVATIONS

Database

Museum

Analytics

ARCH•System

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ARCH•System

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ARCH•System

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Fieldwork

LocusDesktop

Pda

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Bofarull, 14, bajos 08027 BarcelonaTel. 93 340 05 73 Fax 93 351 95 18www.settop.es settop@settop.es

Bofarull, 14, bajos 08027 BarcelonaTel. 93 340 05 73 Fax 93 351 95 18www.settop.es settop@settop.es

Bofarull, 14, bajos 08027 BarcelonaTel. 93 340 05 73 Fax 93 351 95 18www.settop.es settop@settop.es

IPHESInstitut Català de PaleoecologiaHumana i Evolució Social

R

arche.iphes.cat archeinfo@iphes.cat

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

OS: Windows field computer

XP/Vista/7, Linux Kernel>2.4

Architecture: x86 / AMD64

Software: Java Run Time >1.6

Connectivity: Wifi 802.11g/n. Wifi print server for printer (optional)

Printer: compatible with EPL protocol.

Storage: SD or CompactFlash card for the Mini version.

All brands and products featured in the present catalog are registered trademarks and/or copyright of their respective owners. The photographs are the property of the IPHES