ITERATIVE GEOLOGICAL MAPPING AND 3D STRUCTURAL MODELING TO IDENTIFY SPATIAL INCONSISTENCIES AND CREATE ACCURATE VISUALIZATION FRAMEWORK FOR GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATIONS: MT. LYKAION (GREECE) SANCTUARY OF ZEUS CASE STUDY: PART 1, MAPPING

Geological mapping centered on the Sanctuary of Zeus, Mt. Lykaion (Peloponessos), encompasses thrust faulted and folded Jurassic through Eocene sedimentary rocks, which are now experiencing active normal faulting. Archaeological features of the Sanctuary of Zeus bear a direct relationship to fundamental geology and geomorphology: fountain houses and a stoa lie along the major thrust; an ash altar surmounts a tectonic klippe; a hippodrome occupies a closed-basin depression; and a major anticine hosts a rock shelter, which some refer to as the mythical birth cave of Zeus. Thus, the Lykaion geologic map emerges as an indispensible guide to site utilization (land, water, cultural activities) at the Sanctuary in ancient times.

Accuracy and internal coherence of the geological mapping has been improved through partnership with Midland Valley Exploration Ltd (MVE). Before the 2009 field season, all ArcMAP shapefiles (created since 2004) were uploaded to MVE. MVE then created a 2.5D geologic map, which integrated contacts, fault and fold attributes, bedding attitudes, digital topography, and archaeological features. Virtual structure sections were constructed by MVE using its MOVE technology, and this step identified certain spatial inconsistencies/ambiguities. Modeling results became the basis for planning the 2009 field season, following which revised and expanded shapefiles were uploaded to MVE, as well as landscape photographs registered to mapping. This became the basis for a second round of modeling, which is reported in Part 2. Results lend themselves to structural geologic interpretation as well as geological assessment of utilization of land and natural resources in ancient times. Additionally, the visualization models aid in communicating the interplay of geology and archaeology to non-geology professionals from diverse fields (e.g., classics, archaeology, architecture, and planning).

Most geological mapping is not analytically tested for viability. Commonly a map is 'simply completed' at the end of a final field season. ArcMAP and MOVE technologies, and their equivalents, provide a pathway for sophisticated evaluation of results in ways that do not depend upon availabiliy of seismic and/or drilling data, or upon the hyperfocused applications of specific fold-fault models.