Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Boreas Heritage Consulting Inc. conducts archaeological assessments using ground penetrating radar (GPR), an innovative technology that collects information beneath the ground surface and can detect sites of archaeological significance. Boreas will collaborate with the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) to incorporate the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), or ""drones"" into their research methods. The research team will investigate how maps derived from different drone-mounted sensors can be used for reconnaissance surveying. If Boreas can interpret aerial photography and digital terrain maps of a large area to refine their GPR survey area they will be able to conduct their surveys more efficiently and effectively. The research team will also collaborate on the development of a methodology for integrating GPR and drone data in a 3D workspace. This will result in increased spatial accuracy of the GPR data, which will allow users to view GPR and drone data in the same frame, thus providing contextual information. The integration will allow for improved visualization and interpretation of the land above the ground and below the ground. Boreas anticipates immediate application of the results of this project for upcoming archaeological assessments.