First results from topographic and geological mapping in the area of Uşakli Höyük (Turkey)

This paper describes the results of topographic and geological surveys carried out at the site of Uşaklı Höyük (Turkey) in order to produce new detailed maps on a scale of 1:10,000 for supporting archaeological investigations and providing good reference cartography during fieldwork. The topographic map was created from the stereorestitution of a GeoEye-1 bundle satellite stereopair, 0.5m pan-sharpened imagery covering an area of about 100km². This map was utilized for the geological survey, for the archaeological interpretation of the palaeo-environmental evolution of the site which bases on the present geomorphologic setting, and for the reconstruction of possible travelling paths within a central region of the Hittite empire. The aerial triangulation of satellite images, performed using ground control points measured specifically by means of differential GPS surveys, allowed the stereoscopic visualization of the area and the creation of the digital terrain model and orthophotos. These results were a useful aid during the geological survey when all the outcrops were inspected and documented through additional in-depth field checks. The geological map has been created and refined using the digital terrain model and photointerpretation of stereo and orthoimageries, making it possible to fully identify the geological boundaries between formations and recognize geomorphological features.