Announcing the Final Examination of Mr. Taylor S. Collore for the degree of Master of Anthropology
Date: November 8, 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Room: HPH409M & Virtually via Zoom
Contact email for Zoom link: tcollore@knights.ucf.edu
Thesis title: Using Free And Open Source GIS Programs To Process Lidar Data In Search Of Indigenous People’s Mound Sites Along The St. Johns River Within The Ocala National Forest, Florida.
In this research, LiDAR data is used to locate Indigenous mound sites within the Ocala National Forest of Central Florida, managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS). Using open source geographic information systems (GIS) software, LiDAR data is converted into digital elevation models (DEMs) and analyzed using manual feature extraction (MFE) to locate potential sites. This is completed remotely through a desktop survey using the GIS program QuantumGIS (QGIS). A remote desktop survey limits physical labor requirements normally associated traditional methods of site location by providing exact coordinates and locational data of possible sites before any groundwork is conducted. Following the desktop survey, ground-truthing is performed to verify the validity of LiDAR point cloud data for site location and the methodology utilized in this research.
The purpose of this research was to identify unreported Indigenous mound sites along the St. Johns River of the Ocala National Forest. Through the methodology employed it was possible to accomplish the research goals, located previously unreported sites for future protection, and provide updated site information for the Florida Master Site File.
Outline of Studies:
Major: Archaeology
Educational Career:
B.A., 2019, University of South Florida
Committee in Charge:
Dr. Edward Gonzalez-Tennant
Dr. Scott Branting
Dr. Brigitte Kovacevich
Approved for distribution by Edward Gonzalez-Tennant, Committee Chair, on October 30 2021.
The public is welcome to attend.
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