(New Look of China) From land to underwater, “digital archeology” enriches Shandong’s “historical illustration”

On October 4, in Jinan, Shandong Province, Zhao Xiao, a reporter from the China News Service, spoke to experts about the dynamic field of “digital archaeology” that is enhancing Shandong’s historical narrative.

At the Jiaojia ruins excavation site in Jinan, students and faculty from Shandong University’s Archaeology Institute are harnessing cutting-edge technology. They employ drones for aerial photography, RTK measurement devices for accurate excavation mapping, and 3D scanners to meticulously record artifacts. “In the past, we depended on photographs and sketches to create a rough outline of a site,” said Tang Zhongming, the Institute’s deputy dean, who has been involved in on-site work for two decades. “Now, with advancements like 3D scanners and drones, we can document findings in real-time, and even replay them as animations.”

Tang pointed out that traditional measuring tools, like tape measures and compasses, were once essential for locating artifacts, but those tools are gradually being replaced by innovative technologies. “The Jiaojia site is integrated into the 2000 National Geodetic Coordinate System of China. With geographic information systems and CAD software, we can produce detailed three-dimensional maps that illustrate city walls, moats, houses, graves, pits, and various excavated artifacts,” he explained, highlighting significant gains in efficiency and data accuracy.

Technological advancements have also provided deeper insights into the lifestyles of ancient humans. “When we previously unearthed human bones, we primarily relied on visual inspection to ascertain gender,” Tang noted. “Now, with the help of DNA technology, we can identify gender and even establish familial connections among nearby skeletal remains.” His team employs various methods, including archaeological botany, animal archaeology, and pottery archaeology, to extract starch grains from stone tools, analyze residues from pottery, and gather isotopic data from bones. This comprehensive approach enables them to uncover what early humans cultivated, raised, or consumed, thus bridging gaps in historical understanding.

The intersection of digital technology and archaeology is also making waves underwater. Currently, an exhibition at the Shandong Museum, titled “The Battle of Yalu River and Underwater Archaeology of the Sunken Warships,” features multiple 3D animations that vividly recreate historical moments, such as the firing of the Dapeng cannon on the Dingyuan ship. This immersive display allows visitors to experience the intensity of the battle firsthand.

“3D modeling technology is integral throughout the entire process of underwater excavation, research, preservation, restoration, and exhibition,” stated Zhou Qiang, an associate researcher at the Shandong Underwater Archaeology Research Center. He explained how geophysical technology combined with 3D modeling led to the discovery of the ship’s name, Dingyuan.

In August 2018, archaeologists uncovered the ironclad Dingyuan off the coast of Dalian. By using imaging from geophysical surveys alongside historical data, they were able to create a 3D model that indicated the ship had capsized, directing them to its name’s location.

Having spent a decade involved in underwater archaeological work involving sunken warships, Zhou has observed ongoing advancements in archaeological technology. “We’ve utilized various sophisticated equipment, such as multibeam sonar systems, side-scan sonar, shallow seismic profiling devices, and marine magnetometers,” he shared. “By scanning and detecting sites with geophysical tools, we can generate underwater 3D images that greatly inform our archaeological efforts. As technology progresses, the precision of these devices improves, and they become smaller and more user-friendly.”

From land to sea, the integration of advanced technologies in archaeology is revealing vivid historical details and landscapes, bringing the past to life for everyone to appreciate.