GIS, Remote Sensing & Mapping Services in Alabama & the Southeast

TVAR’s GIS and remote sensing specialists provide drone aerial photography, LiDAR analysis, geophysical survey support, and spatial data management for archaeological and cultural resource projects across Alabama and the Southeast. Our FAA-certified drone pilots and GIS analysts create accurate site maps, digital terrain models, and geophysical survey layouts that help identify subsurface archaeological features — reducing fieldwork costs and improving CRM report data quality for federal and state agency submissions.

Utilizing remote sensing data to conduct anthropological research has become increasingly common these days. Not only do these remote sensing techniques allow archaeologists to identify and locate archaeological sites and features, but they also provide invaluable data for evaluating and assessing anthropological studies of past and present cultures. Management and integration of these datasets typically involves the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS). Often used for mapping, GIS also provides techniques for analyzing remote sensing data and further integrating it with other types of archaeological information such as artifact densities.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is located on land formerly owned by Revolutionary War Veteran Lewellen Jones and was among one of the largest antebellum cotton plantations in the South. By the end of the Civil War, the Avalon plantation was home to 121 enslaved people, and archaeologists and historians believe many are buried on the current campus. TVAR partnered with the university in May of 2022 to conduct GPR studies near the Jones Perkins Family Cemetery, as well as a second site, to determine the possible presence of unmarked graves. Data processing and results are ongoing; however, UAH is seeking public support to create the Historic Marker Trail Project. Funds raised will support the placement of historical markers at important locations across campus and tell the story of the people that lived and worked there.

Visit UAH Historic Marker Trail Project page to learn more about the project and ways to show support.

In partnership with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), TVAR’s mapping team processed Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data to created contour and relief maps for 33 publicly accessible native American mound sites across the state. Contour maps for each location were utilized to create roadside signs along the trail, while relief maps were used for publication within an accompanying pamphlet. The images below provide an example from this project, highlighting the Winterville Mounds. Mississippi is home to many such earthen mounds, which were often constructed for burial and ceremonial purposes primarily during the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian periods. TVAR’s involvement with the project was a unique opportunity to bring the history of these sites to the larger public while also showcasing one of our most advanced services. To learn more about the Mississippi Mound Trail, visit: Mississippi Mound Trail website

Our GIS and remote sensing services directly support archaeological field surveys and cultural resource research, providing accurate spatial data for CRM projects across Alabama and the Southeast.

TVAR’s remote sensing capabilities span the full spectrum of non-invasive archaeological investigation techniques. Our geophysical survey support includes ground-penetrating radar (GPR), magnetometry, and electrical resistivity — methods that detect buried features, architectural remains, and subsurface soil anomalies without excavation. These surveys are particularly valuable for evaluating National Register eligibility before Phase II testing, reducing project costs while delivering precise, defensible data for federal and state agency review. TVAR’s geophysical operators work across diverse terrain types throughout Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, and the broader Southeast.

Drone-based aerial photography and photogrammetry have transformed how archaeologists document sites, landscape features, and excavation units. TVAR’s FAA-certified drone pilots capture high-resolution aerial imagery and process it into detailed orthophotos, 3D point clouds, and digital elevation models. Combined with LiDAR data processing, this allows our team to identify subtle landscape modifications — earthworks, terracing, field systems, and settlement patterns — invisible at ground level. These deliverables are increasingly required by federal agencies and State Historic Preservation Offices for CRM projects involving large survey areas or complex terrain across the Southeast.

Beyond mapping, TVAR’s GIS specialists use spatial analysis to predict archaeological site locations, model site catchment areas, and assess potential project impacts before fieldwork begins. Predictive modeling helps clients anticipate areas of high archaeological sensitivity, enabling smarter survey designs and more efficient use of project budgets. Our GIS deliverables — including shapefiles, geodatabases, and web maps — integrate directly into client project management systems and state regulatory databases, providing a seamless digital record that supports long-term project documentation and environmental compliance across Alabama and the Southeast.