UNSE researchers use LiDAR to study pre-Hispanic history in Argentina

Researchers from the National University of Santiago del Estero (UNSE) are utilizing advanced technology to study the pre-Hispanic past of southern Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Led by Dr. Catriel León from the Institute of Studies for Social Development (INDES, UNSE-CONICET), the team conducted a survey of approximately 60 hectares in the Sumampa area.

The project employs LiDAR technology mounted on drones to document archaeological sites with high precision. Unlike traditional aerial photography or satellite imagery, LiDAR uses laser pulses to generate digital representations of the terrain, allowing researchers to see through dense vegetation to map the ground surface. This method is part of a long-term research initiative aimed at understanding the indigenous societies that inhabited the region prior to the European conquest, an area where historical data has previously been scarce.