Papers by Madeline McAllister
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Bulletin of the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology, 2012
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Koombana Bay foreshore maritime archaeological survey and excavations, 21-28 November 2011, May 2012
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Conference Presentations by Madeline McAllister
The fundamental problem within archaeology is that knowledge is ultimately formed through the gui... more The fundamental problem within archaeology is that knowledge is ultimately formed through the guided destruction of the cultural heritage resources that are being studied. Consequently, accurate and highly detailed recording of sites during all stages of archaeological work is essential. Additionally, when applying archaeology to an underwater environment speed and accuracy become key factors of any recording technique. Photographical recording fulfils ethical requirements of completing archaeological work to the highest possible standard and is widely acknowledged as one of the archaeologist’s most significant and frequently used tools. As Baker and Green (1976) emphasised, the greatest value in recording with photographs is the infinite detail, surpassing even the best archaeological site plan.
Until recently, acquiring photographs of an underwater site and processing them into a digital 3D reconstruction was time consuming and required specialist skills. Advances in algorithms for computer science and machine vision now allow raw images to be quickly processed and 3D reconstructions automatically derived. These advances are enabling archaeologists with minimal training to create geometrically accurate image-based 3D reconstructions of underwater archaeological sites, fulfilling essential archaeological requirements of recording a site quickly and accurately. This recent and significant increase in digital 3D reconstructions raises the need for basic guidelines for digital recording of archaeological material and sites to ensure that standards are upheld and that there is a thorough understanding of exactly what is presented in the final model. Moreover, we should perhaps pause and reassess what these image-based techniques provide in terms of accurate recording of archaeological data before they become mainstream and conventional archaeological techniques. Do they promote interpretation of archaeological data and sites, or do they only present narrow, highly subjective views? How objective are these techniques? How do they influence the current archaeological process?
In this paper I discuss my PhD research, which proposes to contribute to techniques and methods for recording underwater archaeological sites by testing, analysing and refining a methodology for accurate and affordable image-based recording and reconstruction of shipwrecks in Western Australia (WA). Ultimately, providing a detailed, accurate and informative digital representation of shipwreck site/s for archaeological interpretation. Overall, both legacy data (data previously collected) and new data (collected during this research) will form the basis for the project.
This dissertation is running in conjunction with the Australian Research Council Linkage project ‘Shipwrecks of the Roaring Forties: a maritime archaeological reassessment of some of Australia’s earliest shipwrecks’ (LP130100137, Lead CI: Paterson). The Roaring Forties Linkage Project aims to make a significant contribution to our understanding of Europeans active in the Indian Ocean and the Western Australian region during the 17th and 18th centuries through reassessing maritime archaeological sites and examining how approaches to maritime archaeological sites have changed over time in terms of both new research questions and new technologies.
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As Green et Al (1971:221) stated “[a]ny underwater archaeological surveying technique must satisf... more As Green et Al (1971:221) stated “[a]ny underwater archaeological surveying technique must satisfy two contrasting requirements: speed and accuracy”. This study proposes to contribute to techniques and methods for recording underwater archaeological sites by testing and refining a methodology for fast, accurate and affordable image-based reconstruction of shipwrecks in Western Australia (WA). Ultimately, providing a detailed, accurate and informative digital representation of shipwreck site/s for archaeological interpretation. Until recently, acquiring photographs of an underwater site and processing them into a 3D reconstruction was time consuming and required specialist skills. Advances in algorithms for computer science and machine vision now allow raw images to be quickly processed and 3D reconstructions automatically derived. It is proposed that these advances will enable archaeologists with minimal training to create geometrically accurate image-based 3D reconstructions of underwater archaeological sites, fulfilling essential archaeological requirements of recording a site quickly and accurately. Both legacy data (data previously collected) and new data (collected during this research) will form the basis for the project. Furthermore, successful completion of highly accurate 3D reconstructions of archaeological sites will allow for continual interpretation and reassessment of primary data for generations to come.
This dissertation will run in conjunction with the Australian Research Council Linkage project ‘Shipwrecks of the Roaring Forties: a maritime archaeological reassessment of some of Australia’s earliest shipwrecks’ (LP130100137, Lead CI: Paterson).
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There are thirteen pelagic whalers wrecked along the Western Australian coast. Out of these five ... more There are thirteen pelagic whalers wrecked along the Western Australian coast. Out of these five have been located and identified and only two have had extensive archaeological research conducted on them. Overall, nine of these whalers were American. During the early nineteenth century Western Australian colonies were isolated, small and struggling, they could not afford to construct specialised whaling equipment or import it from Europe or America to establish their own shore-based whaling enterprises. Whilst visiting foreign pelagic whalers created conflict with the colonies over whaling rights they also provided cheap equipment and experienced men towards the early shore-based whaling industries set up by the colonists.
The study of pelagic wrecks can reveals information about numerous aspects of the whaling trade including economics, culture and technology. However, with only five out of thirteen wrecks located in Western Australia, it is essential to identify the other nine before more in depth research can begin. Research is currently underway in creating a construction typology of early nineteenth century American whalers in order to apply it to wrecks located in the future and aid in identification. Whilst this approach may seem narrow minded and lacking in a broader theory of study it is an essential basis for further study. In order to study all aspects of the pelagic whaling industry in Western Australia, the basics must first be understood.
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Talks by Madeline McAllister
This presentation was given to the Western Australian Underwater Photography Society. It gave the... more This presentation was given to the Western Australian Underwater Photography Society. It gave the audience a general background into underwater archaeology in Western Australia before leading into Maddy's PhD research and the latest work on digital methods for recording and communicating research.
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This lecture focuses on the American whalers and shipwrecks along the Western Australian coast in... more This lecture focuses on the American whalers and shipwrecks along the Western Australian coast in the early nineteenth-century. It focuses on what we have learnt from archaeological work conducted on known shipwrecks and the cultural, economical and industrial impacts that American whalers had on colonial pioneers.
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Papers by Madeline McAllister
Conference Presentations by Madeline McAllister
Until recently, acquiring photographs of an underwater site and processing them into a digital 3D reconstruction was time consuming and required specialist skills. Advances in algorithms for computer science and machine vision now allow raw images to be quickly processed and 3D reconstructions automatically derived. These advances are enabling archaeologists with minimal training to create geometrically accurate image-based 3D reconstructions of underwater archaeological sites, fulfilling essential archaeological requirements of recording a site quickly and accurately. This recent and significant increase in digital 3D reconstructions raises the need for basic guidelines for digital recording of archaeological material and sites to ensure that standards are upheld and that there is a thorough understanding of exactly what is presented in the final model. Moreover, we should perhaps pause and reassess what these image-based techniques provide in terms of accurate recording of archaeological data before they become mainstream and conventional archaeological techniques. Do they promote interpretation of archaeological data and sites, or do they only present narrow, highly subjective views? How objective are these techniques? How do they influence the current archaeological process?
In this paper I discuss my PhD research, which proposes to contribute to techniques and methods for recording underwater archaeological sites by testing, analysing and refining a methodology for accurate and affordable image-based recording and reconstruction of shipwrecks in Western Australia (WA). Ultimately, providing a detailed, accurate and informative digital representation of shipwreck site/s for archaeological interpretation. Overall, both legacy data (data previously collected) and new data (collected during this research) will form the basis for the project.
This dissertation is running in conjunction with the Australian Research Council Linkage project ‘Shipwrecks of the Roaring Forties: a maritime archaeological reassessment of some of Australia’s earliest shipwrecks’ (LP130100137, Lead CI: Paterson). The Roaring Forties Linkage Project aims to make a significant contribution to our understanding of Europeans active in the Indian Ocean and the Western Australian region during the 17th and 18th centuries through reassessing maritime archaeological sites and examining how approaches to maritime archaeological sites have changed over time in terms of both new research questions and new technologies.
This dissertation will run in conjunction with the Australian Research Council Linkage project ‘Shipwrecks of the Roaring Forties: a maritime archaeological reassessment of some of Australia’s earliest shipwrecks’ (LP130100137, Lead CI: Paterson).
The study of pelagic wrecks can reveals information about numerous aspects of the whaling trade including economics, culture and technology. However, with only five out of thirteen wrecks located in Western Australia, it is essential to identify the other nine before more in depth research can begin. Research is currently underway in creating a construction typology of early nineteenth century American whalers in order to apply it to wrecks located in the future and aid in identification. Whilst this approach may seem narrow minded and lacking in a broader theory of study it is an essential basis for further study. In order to study all aspects of the pelagic whaling industry in Western Australia, the basics must first be understood.
Talks by Madeline McAllister
Until recently, acquiring photographs of an underwater site and processing them into a digital 3D reconstruction was time consuming and required specialist skills. Advances in algorithms for computer science and machine vision now allow raw images to be quickly processed and 3D reconstructions automatically derived. These advances are enabling archaeologists with minimal training to create geometrically accurate image-based 3D reconstructions of underwater archaeological sites, fulfilling essential archaeological requirements of recording a site quickly and accurately. This recent and significant increase in digital 3D reconstructions raises the need for basic guidelines for digital recording of archaeological material and sites to ensure that standards are upheld and that there is a thorough understanding of exactly what is presented in the final model. Moreover, we should perhaps pause and reassess what these image-based techniques provide in terms of accurate recording of archaeological data before they become mainstream and conventional archaeological techniques. Do they promote interpretation of archaeological data and sites, or do they only present narrow, highly subjective views? How objective are these techniques? How do they influence the current archaeological process?
In this paper I discuss my PhD research, which proposes to contribute to techniques and methods for recording underwater archaeological sites by testing, analysing and refining a methodology for accurate and affordable image-based recording and reconstruction of shipwrecks in Western Australia (WA). Ultimately, providing a detailed, accurate and informative digital representation of shipwreck site/s for archaeological interpretation. Overall, both legacy data (data previously collected) and new data (collected during this research) will form the basis for the project.
This dissertation is running in conjunction with the Australian Research Council Linkage project ‘Shipwrecks of the Roaring Forties: a maritime archaeological reassessment of some of Australia’s earliest shipwrecks’ (LP130100137, Lead CI: Paterson). The Roaring Forties Linkage Project aims to make a significant contribution to our understanding of Europeans active in the Indian Ocean and the Western Australian region during the 17th and 18th centuries through reassessing maritime archaeological sites and examining how approaches to maritime archaeological sites have changed over time in terms of both new research questions and new technologies.
This dissertation will run in conjunction with the Australian Research Council Linkage project ‘Shipwrecks of the Roaring Forties: a maritime archaeological reassessment of some of Australia’s earliest shipwrecks’ (LP130100137, Lead CI: Paterson).
The study of pelagic wrecks can reveals information about numerous aspects of the whaling trade including economics, culture and technology. However, with only five out of thirteen wrecks located in Western Australia, it is essential to identify the other nine before more in depth research can begin. Research is currently underway in creating a construction typology of early nineteenth century American whalers in order to apply it to wrecks located in the future and aid in identification. Whilst this approach may seem narrow minded and lacking in a broader theory of study it is an essential basis for further study. In order to study all aspects of the pelagic whaling industry in Western Australia, the basics must first be understood.