Collaborative Research: Integrating Spatial Analysis into Long Term Research

空间考古研究合作（SPARC）计划促进在考古研究项目中使用空间分析、3D建模和遥感技术。考古学家研究的东西——从文物到遗址到景观——几乎总是有空间成分，这对理解文化过程至关重要。数字博物馆允许对偏远、易碎和/或无价的文物进行形态计量分析；地球物理调查有助于查明地下特征，如房屋，在挖掘过程中节省时间和金钱；遥感技术激光雷达（光探测和测距）通过植被覆盖等障碍物识别自然和人为景观，如古老的道路。如今，数字技术的日益普及和成熟，不仅产生了新的数据，而且促进了与考古记录互动的全新方式。然而，仪器和软件的高成本，加上它们所需要的专业知识，给许多打算在研究项目中部署地理空间技术的考古学家带来了障碍。通过竞争性的、同行评审的申请过程，SPARC促进了有兴趣在SPARC机构的研究中添加数字组件的考古学家之间的合作，SPARC机构利用仪器、软件的技术基础设施，以及阿肯色大学先进空间技术中心、达特茅斯学院空间考古实验室和格拉斯哥大学的教师和技术人员的专业知识。自2013年以来，SPARC支持了35个合作项目，涉及来自20多个国家46个不同机构的73个项目负责人和共同项目负责人。SPARC在支持女性和早期职业研究人员方面有着良好的记录，为公立大学和非营利组织的研究人员提供外部资金和出版机会，这对发展有竞争力的职业至关重要。在线研讨会和讲习班、学生培训机会、专业组织的领导、方法创新和新的拨款奖励都源于SPARC的研究。SPARC计划的目标是：通过向研究人员提供地理空间技术，提高考古项目的研究效率，否则这些研究人员将无法获得收集和分析这些数据所需的工具或技能；通过参与实地考察和分析项目，获得高价值、高效的考古数据；为寻求使用地理空间技术的学生和专业人员提供培训机会；促进地理空间在考古方面的新应用，并让更多市民认识这些应用；并支持数字数据存档和发布的良好实践。SPARC通过以下三个类别的奖励为考古项目提供直接支持：实地工作（现场数据收集）、数据分析（准备、处理和分析）和出版（展示、出版和存档），这些奖项利用了一系列广泛的方法，包括高性能计算、表面重建和形态测量分析、体积3D成像、近地表地球物理、航空遥感和调查（例如“无人机”）。大地测量定位和地形测量，以及三维可视化。SPARC努力建立一个越来越引人注目的项目——吸引顶尖的研究项目；高效——项目人员在自身经验的基础上不断积累；高影响力——试点项目在世界各地培养研究团队的技能；创新——更广泛的合作带来了方法论上的重大进步。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The SPatial Archaeometry Research Collaborations (SPARC) Program promotes the use of spatial analysis, 3D modeling, and remote sensing technologies in archaeological research projects. The things archaeologists study—from artifacts to sites to landscapes—almost always have spatial components that are essential to understanding cultural processes. Digital museums allow for morphometric analyses of remote, fragile, and/or priceless artifacts; geophysical investigations help pinpoint subsurface features such as houses that save time and money during excavation; the remote sensing technique LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) identifies natural and anthropogenic landscapes such as ancient roads through impediments like vegetation cover. Today, the increasing availability and sophistication of digital technologies is not merely generating new data but is facilitating entirely novel means of engaging with the archaeological record. However, the high costs of instrumentation and software, combined with the expertise they require, create a hurdle for many archaeologists who aim to deploy geospatial technologies in research projects. Through a competitive, peer-reviewed application process, SPARC facilitates collaborations between archaeologists interested in adding a digital component to their research with SPARC institutions, who leverage the technological infrastructure of instrumentation, software, and expertise of faculty and technical staff at the University of Arkansas' Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies, Dartmouth College’s Spatial Archaeometry Lab, and the University of Glasgow. Since 2013, SPARC has supported 35 collaborative projects involving 73 PIs and co-PIs from 46 different institutions for research in over 20 countries. SPARC has a strong track record of supporting women and early-career researchers, providing external funding and publishing opportunities essential to developing competitive careers, and for researchers located at public universities and non-profits. Online seminars and workshops, student training opportunities, leadership in professional organizations, methodological innovations, and new grant awards all stem from SPARC research.The SPARC Program's goals are to: enhance the research productivity of archaeological projects by making geospatial technologies available to researchers who would not otherwise have access to the tools or skills needed to collect and analyze these data; generate high-value, efficient archaeological data by participating in fieldwork and analytical projects; provide training opportunities for students and professionals seeking to use geospatial techniques; promote the development of new geospatial applications in archaeology and their visibility to the broader community; and support good practice in archiving and publication of digital data. SPARC offers direct support to archaeological projects through awards in three categories—Fieldwork (on-site data collection), Data & Analytics (preparation, processing, and analysis), and Publication (presentation, publication, and archiving)—that utilize a wide-ranging set of methods including high-performance computing, surface reconstruction and morphometric analysis, volumetric 3D imaging, near-surface geophysics, aerial remote sensing and survey (e.g. “drones”), geodetic positioning and topographic survey, and 3D visualization. SPARC strives to build a program that is increasingly visible - attracting top research projects; efficient - as project staff build on their experience; high impact - as pilot projects build skills in research teams around the world; and innovative - with broader collaborations leading to significant methodological advancements.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.