Edward González-Tennant

A flat view of digital elevation data being processed in QGIS software. This data is downloaded from the USGS National Map and represents heights in different greys. Darker colors are lower elevation.

A view of topographic maps for the study area. This map is the result of combining six different maps into one. Vegetation is represented as green. The northern portions have the most green, which corresponds to the Balcones Escarpment and Texas Hill County.

This is another view of the digital elevation data, but visualized in 3D with the Blender program. Valleys and other features are more clearly represented.

A screenshot of the final 3D model as it exists in the online version available via the Sketchfab website. This view shows the sharp elevation changes that occur the area immediately around San Marcos.

Wrapping up a lab exercise for my undergraduate historical archaeology course on topo maps. Decided to create a fun 3D model of the area's landscape and topography. Processed data in QGIS before constructing the 3D model in Blender and uploading to Sketchfab. View online at skfb.ly/pG8tD

Students work to clear vegetation from a structure before photographing and beginning excavations.

A view of a 3D models being created from photographs in RealityScan software.

The same model being edited in Blender, a free and open source 3D modeling program.

An image of a 3D print of the same model on a desk with a scale bar, the model is approximately 4 inches by 4 inches and 3 or so inches tall.

Quick example of a #photogrammetry to #3dprint in #archaeology. This structure was investigated in 2023. RealityScan processed ~400 photos in roughly 10 minutes, another 10 minutes working in Blender before I started the 3D print. It took two hours to 3D print.

Small Object Photogrammetry with Agisoft Metashape Professional YouTube video by ArchaeoSquatch

Getting back to creating #tutorials. This time, a #photogrammetry tutorial on using Metashape Professional to process images of small objects like #artifacts (in 4K!). The video includes a section on what to do when automatic alignment fails!

youtu.be/e9l0F3KfBJI

An image with four panels representing the same area around the southeast of Laguna Atascosa in South Texas. Four different data combine to represent the same area. The data are: In the upper left is a topographic map from the 1960s. The upper right is LiDAR data from the late 2010s. The lower left is a 1950s Aerial and the lower right is processed from 2025 Landsat 9 data with a band combination that is useful for differentiating land from water. The effect of the image is to show how the laguna and ancient channel of the Rio Grande are still an important part of the landscape.

One of my projects involves supporting wetland restoration efforts by the US Fish & Wildlife in the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.

This image visualizes the same area with different data:
Upper Left: 1960s Topo
Upper Right: LiDAR
Lower Left: 1950s Aerial
Lower Right: 2025 Landsat

QGIS 4 Arch - Satellite Remote Sensing with Sentinel-2 (SCP, NDVI, Band Combos, Raster Calculator) YouTube video by ArchaeoSquatch

Interested in reproducing this type of analysis? Reproducing this exact analysis? I have a tutorial for that
Learn how to conduct this analysis with the free and open source GIS software #QGIS with the following tutorial: youtu.be/A99pMv4CFWg?...

#archaeology #GIS #landsat #remotesensing #FOSS

A series of images depicting the impacts of rainfall in the vicinity of Laguna Atascosa. These images use Landsat data. They clearly show the extent of flooding when heavy rains occur, as happened earlier this year in April, May, and June.

Visualizing the impacts of rainfall in the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge via Landsat data. Heavy rains earlier this year filled ancient channels of the Rio Grande. This work is helping researchers support ongoing efforts to restore the area's wetlands.
#archaeology #landsat #remotesensing

In the field for a few weeks. It's not a bad view from the ol' field house.

Ages 0-4 are the most important, emotionally & intellectually, in human development.

Yet, in the US, we have a very high rate of childhood poverty and a broken child care system.

Congratulations to New Mexico for leading the way forward for high quality, free child care. Other states must follow.

The proverbial (bob)cat is out of the bag. I am joining the Texas State Department of Anthropology as an Asst Prof of Historical Archaeology this fall! I look forward to continuing my work in Texas as well as returning to research interests in Florida and the Caribbean. Eat ‘em up cats!

A picture of two bobcat kittens in North Texas in June, about 2–4 months old. This image is from the Wikipedia article on bobcats and was photographed by Summer M. Tribble.

My favorite animal has always been the Lynx rufus, or bobcat. I was fascinated by them as a child and they remain my favorite animal. That is all.

Lest We Forget the Horrors: An Unending Catalog of Trump’s Cruelties, Collusions, Corruptions, and Crimes Early in President Trump’s first term, McSweeney’s editors began to catalog the head-spinning number of misdeeds coming from his administration. We...

ICYMI: We're back cataloging Trump's cruelties, collusions, corruptions, and crimes.

Someone actually pre-drafted a #FOIA request for you to send directly to #DOGE so that you can find out what personal information of yours that ketamine-addled doofus has. Here's a link to it. Happy hunting.

drive.google.com/file/d/119jz...

#resist

A huge win for open source software! Also, this movie is incredible. Be warned, only the coldest hearts will fail to feel the warmth of this movie. In other words, someone was cutting onions while I watched it.

A view of rolling, blueish clouds above palm trees in South Texas.

Nice view from the office window today. Clouds are doing some cool things. #officeview

What should I do if I find a cool artifact in the US? Spotting artifacts in the U.S. is common, but archaeologists want you to leave them in place.

People ask this question a LOT, so I talked to some amazing folks and wrote a short explainer.

tl;dr - Leave it, take a pic, tell the SHPO. 🏺🧪

How Greg Abbott won millions and stopped Texans from doing the same Forty years ago this week, a tree fell on Greg Abbott, paralyzing the future governor. He sued for damages and won—and then helped to stifle similar lawsuits.

It is very on brand for Abbott, who won millions of dollars in a personal injury suit, only to use his later political positions to contribute to reforms that today deny the same possibilities for justice to other Texans. www.chron.com/politics/art...

8-Bit 80's Hits, Vol. 1

The world is on fire, minds rapidly oscillating between outrage and fatigue is our "new" normal (again). So, I'm sharing some lighthearted stuff from time to time. Stuff that helps me recharge. Today, that's an album of #chiptune covers of hits from the '80s. open.spotify.com/album/3YjgeU...

Preserving Public U.S. Federal Data | Library Innovation Lab

Last year we started a project to download and preserve public data. lil.law.harvard.edu/blog/2025/01... Since saving public data is in the news today — but is always needed — let’s talk about what you can do to help.

Everyone should follow @uofa-ipia.bsky.social. It doesn't matter what kind of archaeology appeals to you, or what kind of archaeology you do. The work they do transcends our discipline and is vitally important.

If you see this post, quote with a bridge from your gallery.

My image is of a trail bridge near Orlando, Florida from a few years ago.

Want fries with that? Underground History explores potato innovation in Oregon America's favorite tuber has a long history in our region, including the 1950s invention of the tater tot in Oregon.

Jefferson Public Radio just re-aired one of my favorite Underground History conversations- follow the link to hear food historian Heather Arndt Anderson discuss all of the wonderful things invented in Oregon...tater tots, maraschino cherries, corn dogs, and more! 🥔🍒🌭
www.ijpr.org/show/the-jef...

The New South folks are amazing!

Refugio Dart Point - Rio Grande Delta - 3D model by Edward González-Tennant (@edgonzaleztennant) This projectile point is likely a Refugio dart (spear) point with a length of 7cm and width of 2cm. These points occur across southern Texas and date to the late Middle (2500 - 400 BC) or Late Archaic...

Another cool #3D #archaeology model made with #photogrammetry. A Refugio dart point measuring 7x2cm. These occur across southern Texas and date to the late Middle (2500 - 400 BC) or Late Archaic (400 BC - AD 800). This lithic was recovered as part of my 2024 field school. Read more at skfb.ly/ptyAM

Rancho Villarreal - A 3D model collection by Edward González-Tennant (@edgonzaleztennant) Rancho Villarreal - A 3D model collection by Edward González-Tennant (@edgonzaleztennant)

I completed processing and uploading some #3D models in preparation for my talk at the Society for Historical #Archaeology conference last week. All models created via #photogrammetry. Have a look!

Society of Black Archaeologists: The Future of Archaeology Starts Here Advocating to ensure proper treatment of African and African Diaspora material culture, promote more people of African descent to enter the field of archaeology.

Back from the The Society for Historical Archaeology annual meetings. I attended the Society of Black Archaeologists meeting, one of the most active organizations, particularly in regards to engaging and supporting students. Support them by becoming a member at www.societyofblackarchaeologists.com

a young neanderthal boy walking along a river in an open grassy plain. He is holding a big stick and is missing his left arm. Alongside him is a baby mammoth, who is also holding a branch in its trunk.

a young neanderthal boy getting cuddles from a baby mammoth in a warmly lit cave/shelter

a family of four neanderthals. Two mothers, a grandfather and a young boy.

Two male neanderthals standing in a grassy plain. The taller man has darker skin and hair, and is gently cradling the shorter man, who is more stocky and has auburn hair.

got too furious seeing 'archeological institutions' posting articles with AI, so here's some of my infinitely better neanderthal art that can only be made with the endless love of an autistic guy with a special interest

who knows!🤷‍♀️

Strangely enough, it is full of numbers, some larger than others, arranged in a grid. Page after page after page of numbers. They may go on forever. Still not sure what it means. 😉

Image of a coffee cup with the words "The work is mysterious and important" written on it.

Finished grading earlier this week, getting some time to work on various research and writing projects. Also, added a new coffee mug to the campus office collection. IYKYK

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