University of Cambridge: Mapping Archaeological Heritage in South Asia Project
Documenting the endangered archaeology and heritage of South Asia and publishing this information in an Open Access Arches geospatial database.
https://linktr.ee/mahsaproject
MAHSA Project
A deep learning model works a bit like a human brain. It consists of a network of digital neurons that fire a signal if certain conditions are met. It will look at a location and ask itself if it senses the pattern that it’s looking for.
AI in Archaeology – it’s more than just a trend 🤖
At MAHSA, we’re actively using machine learning to identify potential archaeological mounds in collaboration with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center.
Today marks the International Day of Potato, putting the spudlight on these vital veggies. Surveyed in 1968, our first map shows India’s Central Potato Research Institute in Himachal Pradesh. It helped popularise potato cultivation in the region and continues its spudtactular research today.
We’ve also thrown in a picture of Ahlu village, Pakistan, from an older Survey of India map. The village name sounds like the Urdu & Hindi word for potato, and I yam intrigued to see a nearby mound that looks suspiciously spud-like 🤔
Our deep learning model starts from the known: confirmed mound sites. We can take known mounds and build a stack of varying satellite images, each containing different variables we can test. Looking at variables across known mounds we create picture of what characteristics are associated with sites.
Introducing Dr Charlotte Evans! 🤝
We’re excited to introduce our newest team member, Charlotte, who specialises in GIS and hydrology. Charlotte is joining us following her PhD and postdoc in Manchester, where she worked for the NERC Digital Solutions Programme.
Getting figgy with it 🌳🕺
The peepal tree, or Ficus religiosa, frames this weathered temple in Punjab, Pakistan. Native to the Indian subcontinent, the sacred fig has religious significance in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism. It’s a real peepal pleaser.
Level up your GIS and digital heritage skills with the MAHSA & MAEASaM YouTube channel 🗺️💻
Explore our growing collection of playlists designed to build foundational knowledge in digital heritage management:
www.youtube.com/@mahsa_maeas...
@maeasamproject.bsky.social
Many archaeological sites in South Asia take the form of elevated mounds rising above the surrounding plains, created by successive phases of occupation. The distinct characteristics of mound sites, such as their relative elevation, makes them ideal targets for remote sensing.
