RIEGL – Cutting-Edge Technology Unveils Ancient Secrets at Cahokia Mounds
In the News: RIEGL’s Cutting-Edge Technology Unveils Ancient Secrets at Cahokia Mounds
In a groundbreaking collaboration, RIEGL‘s advanced geospatial technology is playing a pivotal role in uncovering the mysteries of Cahokia Mounds, one of North America’s most significant archaeological sites. The RIEGL miniVUX-3UAV system, a state-of-the-art airborne laser scanner, is at the forefront of this exploration, providing researchers with unprecedented precision and efficiency.
Designed for integration with UAVs, the RIEGL miniVUX-3UAV system offers a selectable laser pulse repetition rate of up to 300 kHz, delivering up to 100,000 measurements per second. This innovative technology allows for echo digitization and online waveform processing, enabling researchers to penetrate dense foliage and capture detailed data without disturbing the ground.
The collaboration between the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Saint Louis University Research Institute (SLU), and the Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI) is leveraging RIEGL‘s system to map and analyze the Cahokia Mounds with remarkable accuracy. The RIEGL miniVUX-3UAV’s compact design and robust aluminum housing make it ideal for various UAV platforms, ensuring flexibility and ease of use in the field. Watch the video below to get a quick overview of the project.
With a 360° field of view and multi-target resolution, the RIEGL miniVUX-3UAV is exceptionally well-suited for archaeological and cultural heritage documentation. Researchers are now able to reveal hidden structures and features that have remained undiscovered for centuries, offering new insights into the ancient civilization of Cahokia.
This project was important for NGA, SLU, and TGI because it leveraged modern geospatial technologies to uncover ancient secrets at Cahokia. This innovative approach not only enhances our understanding of Cahokia’s historical significance but also demonstrates the transformative power of modern geospatial technologies in uncovering the mysteries of the past. The collaboration showcased the power of geospatial intelligence in archaeological research, fostering innovation and advancing the capabilities of each organization. As RIEGL continues to push the boundaries of geospatial technology, the secrets of Cahokia Mounds are gradually coming to light, promising a deeper appreciation of this remarkable archaeological site.
Read the full article: Using Modern Geospatial Technologies to Uncover Ancient Secrets at Cahokia | Taylor Geospatial Institute
About National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA): NGA is a U.S. government agency responsible for providing geospatial intelligence to support national security. It focuses on collecting, analyzing, and distributing geospatial data to aid in defense, disaster response, and global intelligence operations.
About Saint Louis University Research Institute (SLU): SLU is a private research university located in St. Louis, Missouri. It is renowned for its strong emphasis on research and innovation, particularly in geospatial science. SLU collaborates with various organizations to advance scientific knowledge and address global challenges.
About Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI): TGI is a leading research institute dedicated to geospatial science. It aims to drive innovation in geospatial technologies and applications, supporting academic and industry collaborations to solve complex problems related to the environment, infrastructure, and societal needs.
About RIEGL:
RIEGL is an international leading provider of cutting-edge technology in airborne, mobile, terrestrial, industrial and UAV-based laser scanning solutions for applications in surveying.
RIEGL has been producing LiDAR systems commercially for over 40 years and focuses on pulsed time-of-flight laser radar technology in multiple wavelengths.
RIEGL’s core smart-waveform technologies provide pure digital LiDAR signal processing, unique methodologies for resolving range ambiguities, multiple targets per laser shots, optimum distribution of measurements, calibrated amplitudes and reflectance estimates, as well as the seamless integration and calibration of systems.
RIEGL’s Ultimate LiDARTM 3D scanners offer a wide array of performance characteristics and serve as a platform for continuing Innovation in 3D for the LiDAR industry.
From the first inquiry, to purchase and integration of the system, as well as training and support, RIEGL maintains an outstanding history of reliability and support to their customers
Worldwide sales, training, support and services are delivered from RIEGL’s headquarters in Austria and in the USA; main offices in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, UK, South America, and Germany; and a worldwide network of representatives.