Researchers in Romania uncovered ancient fortified settlements dating back nearly 5,000 years, thanks to LiDAR technology. The discovery was made in Neamț County, where a fortified settlement from the Late Neolithic to the Bronze Age was revealed, including a well-planned fortress.
The study was a collaboration between Geocad Services, Geo Edu Laboratory, and the National Institute for Research and Development in Earth Physics. The project originated when Vlad Dulgheriu, now the owner of Geocad Services, reached out to his former professor, archaeologist Vasile Diaconu, to discuss the possibility of conducting the study. "I'm honestly glad my former student has built his own road beautifully," Diaconu said, according to dailygalaxy.com.
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, which uses laser light to measure distances and create high-resolution terrain models, played a crucial role in revealing the ancient fortification. Mounted on drones, LiDAR allowed researchers to map the site with precision through dense forest cover near Târgu Neamț in Neamț County. "Thanks to current technology and using LiDAR scanners, we were able to obtain an accurate image of a fortification nearly 5,000 years old," said Diaconu, according to Marca.
LiDAR scans revealed that the fortress was located in a high area, offering excellent visibility of the surrounding landscape, which would have aided in detecting approaching threats. The fortress featured defensive features such as large ditches and earthen mounds, with some ditches reaching lengths of several hundred meters, indicating considerable human effort in their construction.
"On this occasion, we observed details that we could not see on the ground precisely because of the vegetation," Diaconu explained, according to Marca. The complexity of the fortification implies that considerable work had to be done at that time. These findings underscore the importance of using modern technologies like LiDAR to gain a better understanding of ancient sites.
LiDAR technology is transforming the way researchers explore ancient sites, enabling precise work in areas that are difficult to access without disturbing the ground or ruins. By analyzing differences in laser return times and wavelengths, LiDAR creates three-dimensional digital maps of landscapes, offering an unobstructed view of historical structures that were once hidden. "Only by using modern technologies will we be able to better understand the complexities of archaeological sites," Diaconu emphasized.
"Without these tools, the details of such sites would remain hidden, making it much more difficult to study and interpret ancient civilizations," Diaconu noted.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
