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By its very nature, Extreme Archaeology pushes at the boundaries of traditional archaeological investigation. The programme makers wanted this to be reflected across all aspects of the show – both in front of and behind the camera. GIS (geographic information system) technology, which makes use of modern computer and satellite technology to handle mapping and other geographical information, was part of this process.
Series director Mel Morpeth explains: 'We wanted to create a series that wouldn't be perceived as being just another archaeology TV show. Too often television viewers see experts wading across muddy fields with paper maps being blown about by the wind. We wanted to bring archaeology bang up to date and into the 21st century.'
Making a series like Extreme Archaeology involves a juggling act. First, the programme has to be interesting enough to keep the TV audience watching. And second, as in all archaeological excavations, the programme makers are required to provide accurate reports on their findings to the wider archaeological community.
'We recognised the value that technology – and, in particular, GIS technology – could bring to the programmes,' says Mel Morpeth. 'Not only could it help make them interesting and easy for the viewers to understand, but it could improve the accuracy of the excavations and the subsequent reporting of our findings.'
Extreme Archaeology worked with the private company, ESRI, widely acknowledged as the world leader in GIS technology and software. As well as providing its core ArcInfo and ArcMap GIS and supporting applications, ESRI (UK) seconded one of its consultants, Peter Wilkinson, to work onsite with the production team to develop the technology in line with the changing requirements of each programme.
Each Extreme Archaeology site visit began with an analysis of available information on the immediate area. This included aerial photographs, historical maps, Ordnance Survey data and sometimes distance readings taken using Leica's Cyrax 3D laser scanning technology. The Cyrax fires a laser beam, which continues travelling in a straight line until it reaches a solid surface, such as the back of a cave. A reading can then be taken on (for example) how deep the cave is.
By integrating data from these and other sources, a fuller picture of the geographic landscape could be created. Then, using ESRI's 3D analytics tool, ArcScene, a new perspective on the data could be generated, making it possible to visualise, manipulate and analyse the information.
When arriving at a programme location, the Extreme Archaeology team already knew that there were archaeological remains at the site. The challenge was to find them quickly and accurately.
Jim Mower, archaeological researcher on the series, explains:
'We had a limited time in which to set up, excavate and film each show, which meant that time was of the essence. However, archaeology isn't naturally suited to such tight deadlines. Because you're dealing with a finite resource, as soon as excavation starts you begin to destroy the evidence, so patience and accuracy are needed at all stages.
'GIS technology helped us with this by enabling us to identify where we wanted to dig more precisely than if we'd simply relied on paper maps. This precision eliminates the need to dig a wider area than required, with minimal disruption to the surrounding area.
'The enhanced visualisation provided by the GIS also gives benefits both behind and in front of the cameras – making it easier for the production team to assess what are the best camera angles to take when filming the excavation and giving the viewers a clearer understanding of what the excavation is trying to unearth.'
The GIS technology was at the centre of every Extreme Archaeology dig – effectively serving as the hub for all of the information gathered on each site. Each time additional data was obtained; it was fed into the GIS, where the historical and geographical jigsaw would be pieced together. By dissecting and analysing the information the Extreme Archaeology team could get a clearer understanding of how the landscape may have looked in the past.
In the Parys Mountain programme, which was filmed in a copper mine at Parys Mountain, Anglesey, the work done by the Extreme Archaeology team will go beyond simply making a TV programme. It is hoped that the mine will eventually become a tourist attraction and the findings generated by Extreme Archaeology using GIS technology will form the basis of a forthcoming application for World Heritage status.
At one time the Parys mine was the largest copper mine in Europe but after it was shut down it became derelict and flooded. When the team arrived on location, the only information they had was a set of paper maps of the complex tunnel network based on historical data, with the depth of each tunnel indicated by varying colours.
Using ESRI's ArcScan software, these maps were loaded onto the GIS and a 3D model created. By integrating details of the depth of the tunnel network, with Ordnance Survey data and aerial photographs, Extreme Archaeology was able to bring the mine network to life, enabling viewers to see for themselves how the tunnels inter-connected and how the mine would have operated.
During the investigation of the mines, the progress of the archaeologists underground could be tracked above ground on the GIS by the rest of the production team. Using Hey Phone communication devices that can operate through solid rock, the team on the surface was able to guide the archaeologists on the directions to take within the network so that the most interesting tunnels could be investigated and the original map data verified.
'In making Extreme Archaeology we wanted to capture the imagination of the viewers,' says Jim Mower. 'The GIS technology has enabled us to do just that. Quite simply, without GIS the exciting programme format of carrying out a dig in such a short time would not be possible. The data analysis capabilities provide by the GIS has helped the accuracy and timeliness of each dig, while the visualisation and graphics allow us to explain our actions and thoughts to the viewers.
'The use of GIS in archaeology is still in its infancy. However, I believe that Extreme Archaeology has demonstrated what can be achieved and will increase recognition of GIS to both the archaeology community and the viewing public alike.'
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