What lies beneath? Machine learning and imaging of lichen-covered surfaces at Stonehenge to reveal rock art

巨石阵的四分之一的石头表面是无法进入传统的考古调查技术，如激光扫描，由于密集的覆盖地衣。该项目旨在：（i）创建一种新方法，将机器学习和表面成像技术（如摄影测量）相结合，以揭示可能被地衣覆盖的石头表面隐藏的雕刻;（ii）使用太赫兹成像等地下成像技术验证任何发现。该项目将回答巨石阵上是否有更多的史前岩石雕刻被地衣隐藏的问题，以及我们是否可以仅仅了解地衣的地形就找到这些雕刻。研究结果将有助于进一步揭示巨石阵的考古细节，并有助于遗址的保护，展示和管理。作为一种快速非侵入性技术，其成果将具有更广泛的适用性，用于测量和监测其他纪念碑和历史建筑物植被覆盖的石头表面的微地形。

A quarter of the stone surface of Stonehenge is inaccessible to conventional archaeological survey techniques such as laser scanning due to the dense coverage of lichen. This project will aim to: (i) create a novel method, combining machine learning and surface imaging techniques such as photogrammetry, to reveal carvings that may be hidden by lichen covered stone surfaces; and (ii) verify any findings using a subsurface imaging technique such as terahertz imaging. The project will answer the question of whether there are more prehistoric rock carvings hidden by lichen on Stonehenge, and whether, with only an understanding of the topography of the lichen, we can find these carvings.The results will be of use for further unravelling archaeological detail at Stonehenge, and aid conservation, presentation and management of the site. Outcomes will have wider applicability as a rapid non-invasive technique for measuring and monitoring the microtopography of vegetation-covered stone surfaces at other monuments and historic buildings.