Identifying submerged landscape features - 3D

All the collated 3D data was analysed by specialist software, which geo-referenced it to produce a map that located the data in relation to the coastline. This was then interpreted to select features of archaeological interest within the submerged landscape. The majority of features identified were interpreted as old river channels, usually referred to by archaeologists as palaeochannels. These are important because watercourses are often a focus for hunter-gatherer activities. Deposits within them frequently preserve organic artefacts and environmental evidence. Other mapped features include glacial lakes, valleys, low hills and areas of higher ground. Not all the features were of the same date. An analysis of their depth and stratigraphic relationship with other features allowed most to be put into one of two periods - the Palaeolithic or Mesolithic. The archaeological team was then able to recreate the landscapes as they changed over time and the land was lost to the sea. Present day water depth (bathymetry) was used to develop a model showing the relative heights of the features now buried under marine sediments to provide a general topography of the submerged landscapes, including previous shorelines and larger channel features. In addition data on known archaeological sites around the coast of Wales can also help the characterization of the likely nature and location of submerged sites.