Comparison of Machine Learning Pixel-Based Classifiers for Detecting Archaeological Ceramics

Recent improvements in low-altitude remote sensors and image processing analysis can be utilised to support archaeological research. Over the last decade, the increased use of remote sensing sensors and their products for archaeological science and cultural heritage studies has been reported in the...

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Main Authors: Argyro Argyrou, Athos Agapiou, Apostolos Papakonstantinou, Dimitrios D. Alexakis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-09-01
Series:Drones
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/9/578
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author Argyro Argyrou
Athos Agapiou
Apostolos Papakonstantinou
Dimitrios D. Alexakis
author_facet Argyro Argyrou
Athos Agapiou
Apostolos Papakonstantinou
Dimitrios D. Alexakis
author_sort Argyro Argyrou
collection DOAJ
description Recent improvements in low-altitude remote sensors and image processing analysis can be utilised to support archaeological research. Over the last decade, the increased use of remote sensing sensors and their products for archaeological science and cultural heritage studies has been reported in the literature. Therefore, different spatial and spectral analysis datasets have been applied to recognise archaeological remains or map environmental changes over time. Recently, more thorough object detection approaches have been adopted by researchers for the automated detection of surface ceramics. In this study, we applied several supervised machine learning classifiers using red-green-blue (RGB) and multispectral high-resolution drone imageries over a simulated archaeological area to evaluate their performance towards semi-automatic surface ceramic detection. The overall results indicated that low-altitude remote sensing sensors and advanced image processing techniques can be innovative in archaeological research. Nevertheless, the study results also pointed out existing research limitations in the detection of surface ceramics, which affect the detection accuracy. The development of a novel, robust methodology aimed to address the “accuracy paradox” of imbalanced data samples for optimising archaeological surface ceramic detection. At the same time, this study attempted to fill a gap in the literature by blending AI methodologies for non-uniformly distributed classes. Indeed, detecting surface ceramics using RGB or multi-spectral drone imageries should be reconsidered as an ‘imbalanced data distribution’ problem. To address this paradox, novel approaches need to be developed.
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spelling doaj.art-ac805d172d5f4791a6c3d1f0914b77472023-11-19T10:17:15ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2023-09-017957810.3390/drones7090578Comparison of Machine Learning Pixel-Based Classifiers for Detecting Archaeological CeramicsArgyro Argyrou0Athos Agapiou1Apostolos Papakonstantinou2Dimitrios D. Alexakis3Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, Saripolou 2-8, 3036 Achilleos 1 Building, 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 50329, Limassol 3603, CyprusDepartment of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, Saripolou 2-8, 3036 Achilleos 1 Building, 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 50329, Limassol 3603, CyprusDepartment of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, Saripolou 2-8, 3036 Achilleos 1 Building, 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 50329, Limassol 3603, CyprusLaboratory of Geophysics—Satellite Remote Sensing & Archaeoenvironment (GeoSat ReSeArch Lab), Institute for Mediterranean Studies, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas (FORTH), Nikiforou Foka 130 & Melissinou, 74100 Rethymno, GreeceRecent improvements in low-altitude remote sensors and image processing analysis can be utilised to support archaeological research. Over the last decade, the increased use of remote sensing sensors and their products for archaeological science and cultural heritage studies has been reported in the literature. Therefore, different spatial and spectral analysis datasets have been applied to recognise archaeological remains or map environmental changes over time. Recently, more thorough object detection approaches have been adopted by researchers for the automated detection of surface ceramics. In this study, we applied several supervised machine learning classifiers using red-green-blue (RGB) and multispectral high-resolution drone imageries over a simulated archaeological area to evaluate their performance towards semi-automatic surface ceramic detection. The overall results indicated that low-altitude remote sensing sensors and advanced image processing techniques can be innovative in archaeological research. Nevertheless, the study results also pointed out existing research limitations in the detection of surface ceramics, which affect the detection accuracy. The development of a novel, robust methodology aimed to address the “accuracy paradox” of imbalanced data samples for optimising archaeological surface ceramic detection. At the same time, this study attempted to fill a gap in the literature by blending AI methodologies for non-uniformly distributed classes. Indeed, detecting surface ceramics using RGB or multi-spectral drone imageries should be reconsidered as an ‘imbalanced data distribution’ problem. To address this paradox, novel approaches need to be developed.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/9/578ceramic detectionarchaeologyremote sensing archaeologyartificial intelligencemachine learningimbalanced data distribution
spellingShingle Argyro Argyrou
Athos Agapiou
Apostolos Papakonstantinou
Dimitrios D. Alexakis
Comparison of Machine Learning Pixel-Based Classifiers for Detecting Archaeological Ceramics
Drones
ceramic detection
archaeology
remote sensing archaeology
artificial intelligence
machine learning
imbalanced data distribution
title Comparison of Machine Learning Pixel-Based Classifiers for Detecting Archaeological Ceramics
title_full Comparison of Machine Learning Pixel-Based Classifiers for Detecting Archaeological Ceramics
title_fullStr Comparison of Machine Learning Pixel-Based Classifiers for Detecting Archaeological Ceramics
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of Machine Learning Pixel-Based Classifiers for Detecting Archaeological Ceramics
title_short Comparison of Machine Learning Pixel-Based Classifiers for Detecting Archaeological Ceramics
title_sort comparison of machine learning pixel based classifiers for detecting archaeological ceramics
topic ceramic detection
archaeology
remote sensing archaeology
artificial intelligence
machine learning
imbalanced data distribution
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/7/9/578
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AT dimitriosdalexakis comparisonofmachinelearningpixelbasedclassifiersfordetectingarchaeologicalceramics