For over 30 years, ACI has led the state in innovating site location strategies often focused on soils and other geological features. As pioneers in the use of georeferenced data and modeling, we were one of the first to transition from the use of topographic paper maps and aerials to GIS/GPS applications in daily field operations. The cartographic technological innovations of the last 15 years have allowed ACI to produce high quality data reports for its clients that meet the highest standards of the Secretary of the Interior and State.
Over the last five years ACI has rapidly expanded our use of Archaeometry, the application of scientific methods and technology to archaeological study, and particularly, Archaeogeophysics, the application of geophysical methods in archaeology. Geophysical science aims to explore the chemical and structural differences in soil that can be measured and averaged with the use of specialized equipment. These measurements can focus on magnetism, electrical resistance, and differences in water saturation amongst other properties of earth, all with the goal of understanding what may be present below that ground without disturbing it. Although the focus of these methods has been geologic exploration and construction, over the last 40 years they have also been applied to archaeological sites with great success.
As Florida’s premier cultural resource management firm, ACI offers its clients comprehensive archaeological services that integrate traditional investigation methods with innovative technology such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). Our geophysical staff have been trained and certified through a variety of programs including the National Park Service National Center for Preservation and Technology Training (NCPTT), GSSI, an industry leader in GPR technology in the use of high and low frequency systems, as well as data processing, and ESRI, an industry leader in GIS software, mapping, and geospatial analysis. In addition, our staff has individually trained with experts in these fields. ACI’s staff uses these various methods to help evaluate the archaeological potential of areas prior to survey to help develop an efficient and cost-effective testing strategy. ACI can also use this technology to map archaeological or historical features to allow preservation and interpretation while avoiding destruction through excavation or to identify the most appropriate areas to excavate to ensure results that will best assist with evaluation and interpretation.
ACI is in the forefront of utilizing LiDAR to analyze projects areas for a variety of features, including cemeteries, mounds, wetlands, and land contours that have long been blunted by agriculture. We are also ready to conduct high-definition GPR surveys to evaluate and address unforeseeable on-site issues such as the discovery of a cemetery or isolated human remains.
In the field, ACI deploys a technologically prepared staff that can return data immediately to accommodate potential client needs. Field staff is equipped with high accuracy receivers that utilize the most recent mobile hardware and connectivity. As a member organization to ESRI ArcGIS Online and Enterprise, ACI can deploy quality historic imaging, KML, LiDAR, and shapefile information to provide clients comprehensive cultural resource assessments and historic inventory analysis. To date, ACI staff has successfully used non-destructive techniques to locate and/or document a variety of archaeological sites including forgotten or erased historic cemeteries, historic pauper cemeteries, the “lost” segregated parts of historic cemeteries, historic sawmill sites, and sites throughout the Everglades.
