High Places: Reevaluating Hilltop Architecture with Drone Imagery and 3-D Modeling

High Places: Reevaluating Hilltop Architecture with Drone Imagery and 3-D Modeling

Join the Natural History Institute for a Speaker Series talk by archeologist Michael Kellett, who will share his original research on the Prescott culture area. His research involves drone imagery and 3-D modeling from over 60 hilltop sites, spatial analysis using GIS, and a literature review to address the following research questions:

• What does the literature indicate about the function of hilltop sites in west-central Arizona?
• Does the diversity of form in hilltop architecture indicate a diversity of site functions?
• Are aspects of hilltop site function discernable from architectural layout and setting (spatial context)?
• Would a comprehensive hilltop site typology facilitate research and dialogue on hilltop site function?

Learn about this innovative archaeological research where modern technology investigates the past.

This program was made possible by Arizona Humanities.

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Michael Kellett has a total of 25 years of experience working with the BLM and Forest Service, including three years supervising the heritage program on the Prescott National Forest. After retiring from federal land management, he completed his MA in Anthropology (research) at NAU and has over three years of experience as a professional archaeologist. His archaeological experience has included inventory and recording of cultural and historic resources in Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah, New Mexico, and Oregon. His experience also includes pedestrian survey, excavation, and construction monitoring. In addition to these experiences, Kellett holds a red card as a fire archaeologist, fire-line resource advisor, and burned area emergency response specialist. He has served in these capacities on dozens of wildland fire incidents throughout the Western US for 24 years.