University of Vienna Acquires Multibeam Solution from MacArtney

A project to create 3D models of submerged pile dwellings dating from thousands of years ago in Austrian lakes has resulted in the acquisition by the University of Vienna of a multibeam solution supplied by MacArtney.

The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology is a research institute dedicated to the development of new techniques and methodological concepts for landscape archaeology. Its research programme combines geophysics, aerial imaging, computer science and geomatics to develop efficient and universally applicable approaches for non-destructive detection, documentation, visualisation, analysis and interpretation of archaeological landscapes.

Prior to placing the order for multibeam equipment, scientists of the Institute were attending a demonstration introducing them to the products in question and to their properties and features. The presenters were hydrographers from MacArtney’s German subsidiary who actually did the installations and preparations for the equipment.

The overall purpose of the multibeam solution is to create 3D model areas of former – now completely sub-merged - pile dwellings in Austrian lakes in order to document how some of our ancestors lived 5,000 years ago.

Scope of supply

The scope of supply features a Teledyne SeaBat T50-P multibeam sonar, data acquisition software QPS QINSy, data processing software (BeamworX AutoClean/AutoPatch and QPS Fledermaus), training, and installation. MacArtney also supplies the GNSS System Septentrio AsteRx-U UHF in combination with an ALTUS NR2 base station and the INS Sensor SBG Apogee-E to get a high precise position. To guarantee a reliable and accurate speed of sound measurement, MacArtney chose the Valeport products SWIFT and UltraSV.