Øyvind Ødegård

Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU University Museum, Faculty Member

Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems, Senior Researcher

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Cand.philol. in Marine Archaeology
PhD in Marine Technology (Marine cybernetics and archaeology)

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Papers by Øyvind Ødegård

Using Underwater Hyperspectral Imaging to Advance Archaeological Discoveries

The Journal of Ocean Technology, 2022

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Sensing Archaeology in the North: The Use of Non-Destructive Geophysical and Remote Sensing Methods in Archaeology in Scandinavian and North Atlantic Territories

by Øyvind Ødegård, Arne Anderson Stamnes, and Satu Koivisto

Remote Sensing, 2020

In August 2018, a group of experts working with terrestrial/marine geophysics and remote sensing ... more In August 2018, a group of experts working with terrestrial/marine geophysics and remote sensing methods to explore archaeological sites in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Scotland and Sweden gathered together for the first time at the Workshop 'Sensing Archaeology in The North'. The goal was to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and consider future directions for further developing these methods and strategies for their use in archaeology. After the event, this special journal issue was arranged to publish papers that are based on the workshop presentations, but also to incorporate work that is produced by other researchers in the field. This paper closes the special issue and further aims to provide current state-of-the-art for the methods represented by the workshop. Here, we introduce the aspects that inspired the organisation of the meeting, a summary of the 12 presentations and eight paper contributions, as well as a discussion about the main outcomes of the workshop roundtables, including the production of two searchable databases (online resources and equipment). We conclude with the position that the 'North', together with its unique cultural heritage and thriving research community, is at the forefront of good practice in the application and development of sensing methods in archaeological research and management. However, further method development is required, so we claim the support of funding bodies to back research efforts based on testing/experimental studies to: explore unknown survey environments and identify optimal survey conditions, as well as to monitor the preservation of archaeological remains, especially those that are at risk. It is demonstrated that remote sensing and geophysics not only have an important role in the safeguarding of archaeological sites from development and within prehistorical-historical research, but the methods can be especially useful in recording and monitoring the increased impact of climate change on sites in the North.

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Mapping the Historical Shipwreck Figaro in the High Arctic Using Underwater Sensor-Carrying Robots

Remote Sensing, 2020

In 2007, a possible wreck site was discovered in Trygghamna, Isfjorden, Svalbard by the Norwegian... more In 2007, a possible wreck site was discovered in Trygghamna, Isfjorden, Svalbard by the Norwegian Hydrographic Service. Using (1) a REMUS 100 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) equipped with a sidescan sonar (SSS) and (2) a Seabotix LBV 200 mini-remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a high-definition (HD) camera, the wreck was in 2015 identified as the Figaro: a floating whalery that sank in 1908. The Figaro is to our knowledge currently the northernmost wreck in the world to be investigated by archaeologists. As the wreck is protected by law as an underwater cultural heritage (UCH) site, only non-intrusive methods could be used during surveys. In this study, we demonstrate how using multiple complementary remote sensing techniques can be advantageous with respect to acquiring a holistic overview of a recently discovered wreck site. In January 2016, the wreck was revisited, and a full photogrammetric survey of the site was conducted with a Sperre Subfighter 7500 medium class ROV. In addition to stereo camera images, HD-video and underwater hyperspectral imagery was also obtained from the wreck site. In terms of data analysis and interpretation, the emphasis was in the current study put on the photogrammetric 3D model and the underwater hyperspectral imagery. The former provided an excellent general overview of the Figaro wreck site, whereas the latter supplied detailed information from a 14.65-m 2 sub-area situated on the top of the wreck. By analyzing classified underwater hyperspectral imagery in context with supplementary information from the 3D model, the levels of biofouling associated with different marine archaeological substrate types were assessed. Our findings suggest that strongly protruding archaeological objects support significantly higher levels of biofouling than their surroundings, and consequently that high-density biological assemblages could serve as proxies for identifying human-made artifacts on the seafloor.

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Archaeological use of Synthetic Aperture Sonar on deepwater wreck sites in Skagerrak.

Journal of Archaeological Science, 2018

Marine archaeological surveying in deep waters has so far been challenging, mainly due to operati... more Marine archaeological surveying in deep waters has so far been challenging, mainly due to operational
and technological constraints. The standard tool has been Side Scan Sonar (SSS) towed behind a surface
vessel. Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) technology is not subject to the traditional range/resolution tradeoff,
and produces results of considerably higher quality than traditional SSS. In 2015 and 2016 a
comprehensive mapping of wrecks in Skagerrak, a large deepwater area off the south coast of Norway
was undertaken, using an interferometric SAS system deployed on an autonomous underwater vehicle.
By examining data from two passes of one of the many historical wrecks that were detected in the survey
area, we demonstrate how SAS can be used to produce very high resolution imagery and bathymetry of
wreck sites. Furthermore, post processing techniques are applied to exploit the high information content
inherent in SAS data, enhancing aspects of the data for relevant archaeological analysis and interpretation.
We show in this paper how SAS technology represents significant improvements in our abilities to
conduct high quality and high resolution seabed mapping. The adoption of this technology will both
benefit archaeological research and provide knowledge for better decision making in underwater cultural
heritage management.

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Underwater Hyperspectral Imaging, a new tool for Marine Archaeology - postprint

Applied Optics, 2018

By applying an Underwater Hyperspectral Imager (UHI) to a selection of archaeological artefacts, ... more By applying an Underwater Hyperspectral Imager (UHI) to a selection of archaeological artefacts, we have found spectral signatures that are representative of materials likely to be present at wreck sites. By successfully using the signatures to classify a subset of said artefacts placed on the seabed at 61 m depth, we demonstrate that it is possible to detect archaeological objects of interest (OOI) in UHI-data acquired by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Correct UHI-classification of rust and glass bottles in situ on a historical wreck site further supports the viability of the method for marine archaeological applications. OCIS codes: (110.4234) Multispectral and hyperspectral imaging; (010.4450) Oceanic optics.

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Archaeological use of Synthetic Aperture Sonar on deepwater wreck sites in Skagerrak.

by Thijs J Maarleveld and Øyvind Ødegård

Journal of Archaeological Science , 2018

Ødegård, Ø, R.E. Hansen, H. Singh & Th.J. Maarleveld, 2018 Archaeological use of Synthetic Apertu... more Ødegård, Ø, R.E. Hansen, H. Singh & Th.J. Maarleveld, 2018
Archaeological use of Synthetic Aperture Sonar on deepwater wreck sites in Skagerrak. Journal of Archaeological Science 89 (2018) 1-13.

Marine archaeological surveying in deep waters has so far been challenging, mainly due to operational
and technological constraints. The standard tool has been Side Scan Sonar (SSS) towed behind a surface
vessel. Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) technology is not subject to the traditional range/resolution tradeoff,
and produces results of considerably higher quality than traditional SSS. In 2015 and 2016 a
comprehensive mapping of wrecks in Skagerrak, a large deepwater area off the south coast of Norway
was undertaken, using an interferometric SAS system deployed on an autonomous underwater vehicle.
By examining data from two passes of one of the many historical wrecks that were detected in the survey
area, we demonstrate how SAS can be used to produce very high resolution imagery and bathymetry of
wreck sites. Furthermore, post processing techniques are applied to exploit the high information content
inherent in SAS data, enhancing aspects of the data for relevant archaeological analysis and interpretation.
We show in this paper how SAS technology represents significant improvements in our abilities to
conduct high quality and high resolution seabed mapping. The adoption of this technology will both
benefit archaeological research and provide knowledge for better decision making in underwater cultural
heritage management.

Våt grav

by Otto Uldum, Morten Sylvester, and Øyvind Ødegård

SPOR Nytt fra fortiden, 2007

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A new method for underwater archaeological surveying using sensors and unmanned platforms

by Øyvind Ødegård and Martin Ludvigsen

As most of the world's oceans are inaccessible to diving archaeologists, we must rely on advanced... more As most of the world's oceans are inaccessible to diving archaeologists, we must rely on advanced underwater technology and marine robotics to explore, map and investigate ship wrecks in these areas. New sensors and unmanned sensor platforms represent huge potentials for archaeological applications, but require a scrutinous look at how established archaeological methods and approaches must be adapted or rejected to optimize the results. Surveys done on a disintegrated wreck site with acoustic sensors like side scan sonar and synthetic aperture sonar, and optical sensors like stereo cameras, video and underwater hyperspectral imager, are compiled to serve as a case study to demonstrate the method. Challenges regarding guidance, navigation and control are discussed.

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Underwater Photogrammetric Mapping of an Intact Standing Steel Wreck with ROV

by Asgeir J. Sørensen and Øyvind Ødegård

This paper presents the results of an underwater photogrammetric survey of an intact standing ste... more This paper presents the results of an underwater photogrammetric survey of an intact standing steel wreck with high vertical profiles from the seabed at 60 meters depth. The survey was conducted in Trondheim Harbour in August 2014 using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) equipped with a stereo camera rig. The paper demonstrates how the emergence of commercially available photogrammetric software has reduced the required resources for creating high-resolution 3D-models of archaeological sites from photographs. At the same time, the resources and ROV-pilot skills required for the survey itself still represent an obstacle for the end users. The results and experiences of this survey are therefore used as the basis for a discussion on the possible benefits, challenges and strategies for conducting such a survey autonomously.

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Autonomy in Marine Archaeology

by Øyvind Ødegård, Thijs J Maarleveld, Martin Ludvigsen, and Asgeir J. Sørensen

Ødegård, Ø., S.M. Nornes, M. Ludvigsen, Th.J. Maarleveld & A.J. Sørensen, 2016 Autonomy in Marine... more Ødegård, Ø., S.M. Nornes, M. Ludvigsen, Th.J. Maarleveld & A.J. Sørensen, 2016
Autonomy in Marine Archaeology. In: Stefano Campana, Roberto Scopigno, Gabriella Carpentiero & Marianna Cirillo (eds.), CAA2015 Keep the Revolution Going. Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology, Oxford: Archaeopress, pp. 857-865.

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Integrated environmental mapping and monitoring, a methodological approach to optimise knowledge gathering and sampling strategy

by Øyvind Ødegård, Ingunn Nilssen, and Asgeir J. Sørensen

New technology has led to new opportunities for a holistic environmental monitoring approach adju... more New technology has led to new opportunities for a holistic environmental monitoring approach adjusted to purpose and object of interest. The proposed integrated environmental mapping and monitoring (IEMM) concept, presented in this paper, describes the different steps in such a system from mission of survey to selection of parameters, sensors, sensor platforms, data collection, data storage, analysis and to data interpretation for reliable decision making. The system is generic; it can be used by authorities, industry and academia and is useful for planning- and operational phases. In the planning process the systematic approach is also ideal to identify areas with gap of knowledge. The critical stages of the concept is discussed and exemplified by two case studies, one environmental mapping and one monitoring case. As an operational system, the IEMM concept can contribute to an optimised integrated environmental mapping and monitoring for knowledge generation as basis for decision making.

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Managing Data from Multiple Sensors in an Interdisciplinary Research Cruise

by Øyvind Ødegård and Asgeir J. Sørensen

The Applied Underwater Robotics Laboratory (AUR-Lab) at the Norwegian University of Science and T... more The Applied Underwater Robotics Laboratory (AUR-Lab) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is an inter-faculty arena for multi- and interdisciplinary research and education on underwater robotics, marine acoustics, marine biology and marine archaeology. The main scientific focus of AUR-Lab is development of technology for ocean observation comprising guidance, navigation and control of underwater robots as instrument carrying platforms and corresponding use of sensors to identify, map and monitor sea surface, water column and seafloor.
In December 2011 AUR-Lab conducted a research cruise to test its ability to run integrated operations deploying ROVs and AUVs as remote sensing platforms for baseline surveys. A key element in the operations was data and information interdependency, with data processing and interpretation in near real time. Even though the data processing pipeline can be further optimized, the concept was proven. The cruise was considered a success, and scientific results were obtained together with valuable operational experience.

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Using Synthetic Aperture Sonar in Marine Archaeological Surveys

Acoustic sensors like side scan sonars and multibeam echosounders are important tools in marine a... more Acoustic sensors like side scan sonars and multibeam echosounders are important tools in marine archaeology. In this paper we will give a very brief explanation of the principles behind SAS compared to conventional SSS, and how these differences affect practical use for archaeological purposes. We will also describe requirements and procedures for deployment, operation and data processing. We will show examples of SAS output, both imagery and bathymetry, demonstrating resolution and range. We will present some first experiences from using SAS for marine archaeological purposes, pros and cons compared to traditional SSS, and discuss some perspectives for future applications.

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Øyvind Ødegård

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