Collaborative Research: Integrating Spatial Analysis into Long Term Research

空间考古研究合作计划(SPARC)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--从文物到遗址再到风景--几乎总是有对理解文化过程至关重要的空间成分。数字博物馆可以对偏远、脆弱和/或无价的文物进行形态测量分析；地球物理调查有助于精确定位地下特征，如在挖掘过程中节省时间和金钱的房屋；遥感技术LiDAR(光探测和测距)通过植被覆盖等障碍识别自然和人为景观，如古代道路。今天，数字技术的日益普及和日益成熟不仅产生了新的数据，而且促进了处理考古记录的全新方式。然而，仪器和软件的高昂成本，再加上它们所需的专业知识，为许多考古学家制造了障碍，他们的目标是在研究项目中部署地理空间技术。通过竞争、同行评审的申请程序，SPARC促进了有兴趣在他们的研究中添加数字组件的考古学家与SPARC机构之间的合作，这些机构利用了阿肯色大学高级空间技术中心、达特茅斯学院空间考古实验室和格拉斯哥大学的教职员工和技术人员的仪器、软件和专业知识等技术基础设施。自2013年以来，SPARC支持了35个合作项目，涉及来自46个不同机构的73个个人投资和合作投资机构，用于20多个国家的研究。SPARC在支持妇女和职业早期研究人员、提供外部资金和出版机会对发展竞争激烈的职业至关重要，以及为公立大学和非营利组织的研究人员提供支持方面有着良好的记录。在线研讨会和研讨会、学生培训机会、专业组织的领导力、方法创新和新的拨款奖励都源于SPARC研究。SPARC计划的目标是：通过向原本无法获得收集和分析这些数据所需的工具或技能的研究人员提供地理空间技术，提高考古项目的研究生产力；通过参加实地工作和分析项目，产生高价值、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；促进考古学中新的地理空间应用程序的开发及其对更广泛社区的可见性；并支持数字数据存档和出版方面的良好做法。SPARC通过三个类别的奖项为考古项目提供直接支持--实地工作(现场数据收集)、数据与分析(准备、处理和分析)和出版(演示、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、表面重建和形态分析、体积三维成像、近地表地球物理、航空遥感和测量(如“无人机”)、大地定位和地形测量以及三维可视化。SPARC致力于建立一个越来越引人注目的计划--吸引顶级研究项目；高效--项目工作人员在他们的经验基础上发展；--高影响力--因为试点项目在世界各地的研究团队中培养技能；以及创新--与更广泛的合作，导致方法上的重大进步。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.