Pre-conference workshop: Ground-penetrating radar in Archaeology
December 7 - 9, 2010
Coachhouse Marina Resort, Batemans Bay, NSW

Presented by Dr Lawrence Conyers Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Denver, Colorado, USA and Author, Ground-Penetrating Radar for Archaeology

This 3-day intensive pre-conference workshop covers the theory, methods and pitfalls of ground-penetrating radar for archaeological site survey, documentation, and exploration:

Day 1: GPR Theory and Method Lecture and Discussion
On day 1 we will spend the whole day talking about GPR theory and methods. Dr Conyers will give numerous examples of GPR surveys that have been done all over the world, showing how to interpret the data, how to successfully map buried sites, and most importantly, the pitfalls we all will fall into in these types of surveys. Toward the end of the class you will be given a data set of GPR data from an historic site in South Australia and you will interpret the data, mapping the foundations and other features from two-dimensional profiles.

Day 2: Hands-On Field Collection of Data
We will spend Day 2 outside collecting data using a GPR. A number of different configurations will be used as well as different antenna frequencies. Each of you will then have your own data set to process and interpret. Weather can vary widely during that time of year, so please be prepared.

Day 3: Analysis of Data on Your Computer
Day 3 will be spent in the classroom. You will process your own data set from the previous day's collection using software Dr Conyers will provide for your computer. You will first make 2-D profiles and interpret them, but then move into three-dimensional mapping and amplitude analyses. By the end of the day you will have print-outs of the buried features in 3-D.

Each participant should bring their own laptop computer running Windows XP or Vista. The software has not yet been fully tested under Windows 7 but should work. It also runs on Apple OS X computers running Windows via Boot Camp or VMware. A few computers are available to borrow during the workshop, so if you do not have access to a computer to bring to the workshop, contact Jack Fenner (jack.fenner@anu.edu.au) as soon as possible to reserve one.

We will meet in the Clyde Room at the Coachhouse Marina Resort starting at 9:00 AM each day. Workshop registration includes a copy of Conyer’s book Ground-Penetrating Radar for Archaeology, along with a sandwich lunch and morning and afternoon tea on each day. Attendance is limited so register early. Workshop attendees are eligible for the discounted AAA Conference accommodation rates at Coachhouse Marina Resort during the workshop period. Please contact the Coachhouse Marina Resort (or whereever you will be staying) directly to reserve accommondation.

Dr Conyers will also give a keynote address to the conference on Saturday, December 11. AAA Annual Conference 2010 registration is highly recommended but not required to attend the workshop.

Workshop fees (excluding optional conference registration):

To register, please go to the AAA Annual Conference 2010 Registration Page and click the Register Now button. After entering your name and address information, you will be presented with a list of options. Select the Pre-Conference GPR Workshop option. You may register for the workshop and the conference at the same time or via separate transactions. To join the Australian Archaeological Association (and be eligible for reduced workshop and conference fees), go to the Join AAA web page.

If you have difficulty registering or have other questions related to the workshop, contact Dr Jack Fenner (jack.fenner@anu.edu.au).