Content uploaded by Philippe De Smedt
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Philippe De Smedt on Mar 16, 2019
Content may be subject to copyright.
Working groups
WG1: KNOWLEDGE CREATION, EXCHANGE and DEVELOPMENT
WG1 focusses on structuring the exisng framework of fundamental soil parameters involved in the detecon of archaeological features using geophysical techniques. Focal issues include
compiling ndings of past studies exploring how land-use, high variability in soil properes, soil post-deposional and other taphonomic processes can aect the geophysical expression of
archaeology. By synthesising acons, such as the creaon of an online research resource of relevant publicaons and sharing research ndings, WG1 aims at maximising the means for data
interpretaon, and providing a robust basis for collaboraon and catalysing grant applicaons.
WG2: INTEGRATED FIELD METHODS and TESTING
Focussed on the praccal aspects of a geoarchaeological approach to geophysical prospecon in archaeology, WG2 explores and evaluates approaches that combine geophysical, archaeological
and soil/geological sampling methods. Hereby, the main aim is to provide standard guidelines for eld soluons for data collecon. Applicaons range from sampling stragies and geostascal
methods to complementary (direct push/remote) sensing methods, and the in-situ evaluaon of soil properes. Alongside addressing methodological aspects, WG2 is assembling a network
of test-sites, instrumentaon and labs to facilitate eld experimentaon, and provide a pool of equipment to share between acon members.
WG3: INTEGRATION, VISUALISATION and PARAMETRISATION
This working group centers on idenfying and evaluang soluons for mulvariate proxy data analysis. WG3 is seeking and proposing ways of data integraon resulng from soil analycal
techniques, in-situ geophysical observaons and sensor signals. Advocang and streamlining use of forward modelling procedures prior to geophysical invesgaon is taken on by compiling
the exisng state of the art. For analysing survey results, WG3 aims at a more quantave integraon of complex of data types and more unied way of processing these analycally, and
subsequently visualising and presenng results.
WG4: TRAINING, DISSEMINATION and OUTREACH
Integrang outcomes of WG1-3, working group 4 will demonstrate the benets of incorporang soil science and geophysics in all stages of archaeological eld pracce to curators, eld
archaeologists and students. Hereby, advantages of eld and analycal techniques for generang auxiliary data and more reliable survey datasets will be disseminated through training
schools, publicaons and more general outreach. A crucial module here is hands-on training of young researchers and professionals.
A COST Acon is organised by a range of networking tools, such as meengs, conferences, workshops, short-term scienc missions (STSMs), training schools, publicaons and disseminaon
acvies. SAGA therefore has the means to organise topical meengs to fulll the project goals. Short-term scienc missions allow tackling specic research issues during secondements of
up to 6 months. These allow exchange visits between researchers involved in SAGA to visit an instuon or laboratory in another COST Member state. Outcomes of these meengs and STSMs
will be consolidated and disseminated by training schools and publicaons, and serve as a catalyst for research applicaons.
Means and practical implications
The Soil Science and Archaeo-Geophysics Alliance
going beyond prospection
Geophysical methods are deployed increasingly to detect and characterise archaeological sites. With increasing precision and accuracy, these techniques allow recording a range of physical
soil properes that can help archaeological invesgaon. As the eects of land use, climate change and the current conict panorama connually impact our cultural heritage, less-invasive
and me-eecve eld procedures play a pivotal role in migang their destrucve eect. While within and beyond academic frameworks investment in the archaeological applicaon of
geophysical methods surges, the ability to fully exploit the informaon inherent to resultant datasets oen lags behind. Limitaons of the available interpreve framework prevent geophysical
surveys from moving beyond basic prospecon to becoming a signicant tool for addressing complex research quesons related to the detected archaeology as well as their host landscapes.
Such limitaons oen spur from an incomplete understanding of the relaonship between the observed geophysical variaons and the underlying soil properes.
To remediate this imbalance, an internaonal network has been set up as part of the European Cooperaon in Science (COST) programme. Dubbed the ‘Soil Science and Archaeo-Geophysics
Alliance’, SAGA is building an interdisciplinary consorum to explore novel survey approaches and eld methods, alongside developing analycal procedures to obtain more integral geophysical
datasets that account for the complexity of the subsurface matrix. A key deliverable is to provide a range of methodological guidelines and educaonal opportunies. Through realising four
workpackages, SAGA aims to strenghten the capacity of geophysical methods in archaeology and enabling their broader applicaon in the cultural heritage sector. In four years me, SAGA
will create an environment within which emerging eld procedures, enhanced data interpretaon and a broader understanding of integrated geophysical prospecon can ourish.
Description and project goals.
C.Cuenca-Garcia1, K. Armstrong2, E. Aidona3, P. De Smedt4, A. Roseveare5, M. Roseveare5, P. Schneidhofer6, C. Wilson7, J. Faßbinder7, I. Moat8, A.Sarris9, M. Scheiblecker10, A. Jrad11, M. van Leusen12, K. Lowe13
SAGA is a European COST action aimed at stimulating a geoarchaeological approach to the application of geophysical methods in archaeology.
Founded on an international network, and rooted in approaches from soil science and geology, the action will explore and disseminate novel
methods to collect, analyse, interpret, and integrate geophysical data into the archaeological process.
SAGA comprises four interacng working groups (WG1 - 4), each led by two working group leaders from dierent parcipang
countries. The management commiee, consisng of representaves of each parcipang country, coordinates, supervises and
manages the progress of the working group acvies, ensuring that milestones are achieved and COST policies are followed.
Currently, SAGA integrates 31 COST member states, two Near Neighbour countries (Tunesia and Ukraine), and one internaonal
partner country (Australia). While primarily consisng of collaborators with an academic background, the network equally
incorporates a broad stakeholder coverage with public instuons and private enterprises.
Structure SAGA management committee
WG1 WG3
KNOWLEDGE
CREATION,
EXCHANGE &
DEVELOPMENT
WG2
INTEGRATED
FIELD
METHODS
& TESTING
INTEGRATION,
VISUALISATION &
PARAMETRISATION
WG4
TRAINING, DISSEMINATION AND OUTREACH
working group leaders
In opposion to many EU-funded projects, COST acons are open networks. It is there possible to at all mes parcipate in SAGA.
Participation options include integration in the Management Committee (based on your country’s engagement in SAGA) and as a member of one of the working groups. Throughout the
course of SAGA, you can participate in various action activities (STSMs, training schools, workshops, conferences etc.). More information can be found here and on the network website.
Participating in SAGA
1Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway; 2Durham University, United
Kingdom; 3Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; 4Ghent University, Belgium; 5TigerGeo,
United Kingdom; 6Vesold fylkeskommune, Norway; 7University of Srling, United Kingdom;
8Bayerisches Landesamt für Denkmalpege, München, Germany; 9Flinders University, Australia;
10 IMS - Foundaon for Research and Technology, Greece; 11 Ludwig-Maximilian University,
Germany; 12 Gabès University, Tunisia; 13University of Groningen, Netherlands; 14The University
of Queensland, Australia
COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020