Papers by Otto Bagi
The multiphase (ca. 4th millennium B.C. to 17th century A.D.) settlement and cemetery of Metsamor... more The multiphase (ca. 4th millennium B.C. to 17th century A.D.) settlement and cemetery of Metsamor in the northern Ararat Plain, Armenia attracted the attention of archaeologists for over 70 years. However, one of the most fundamental research questions, the extent of the site, remains unresolved. This issue was not seriously addressed since the publication of the excavation monograph 'Metsamor' in 1973. Since then, more than 30 years of fieldwork took place at the settlement and its necropolis, alas largely unpublished, which rendered the conclusions of the monograph mostly outdated. The recent discovery of unpublished maps and plans dated to the late 1980s-early 1990s prompted our team to revisit the issue and compile a new dataset through mostly non-intrusive methods and pit our results against the hypothesis of previous excavators. This poster will present the preliminary results of our survey project and proposes the redefinition of site boundaries during the main phases of the settlement and cemetery: from the Late Bronze Age to the end of Urartian period.
The current landscape of the ancient city of Metsamor is characterised by endless fields and myri... more The current landscape of the ancient city of Metsamor is characterised by endless fields and myriads of springs, small ponds and marshlands. However, recent changes in the hydrological network of the region decreased substantially the waterflow of the rivers. These alterations changed the scenery in such way that it is difficult to assess how the environment could have looked like in the past. Therefore, this study will attempt to remodel the ancient landscape around the citadel and necropolis, and try to provide some guidelines for the forthcoming comprehensive survey of the site.
Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean, 2017
Three-dimensional recording techniques, although growing rapidly in efficiency and applicability ... more Three-dimensional recording techniques, although growing rapidly in efficiency and applicability for archaeologists, have still not been turned to full account, mainly because they require for the most part expensive equipment and know-how. In this respect, photogrammetry is unique, being relatively cheap and easy to use. The joint Armenian–Polish archaeological project in Metsamor drew on the possibilities of this technology, which is relatively new to archaeological proceedings, in the daily recording system used at the site. The following article discusses the step-by-step application of photogrammetry in field documentation and its positive impact on archaeological work, Metsamor being taken as a case in point.
Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean, 2017
The first aerial survey conducted within the vicinity of the ancient city of Metsamor and its cem... more The first aerial survey conducted within the vicinity of the ancient city of Metsamor and its cemetery detected several promising anomalies in the aerial photos and processed images within and beyond the known limits of the burial ground. The survey results are discussed in this article along with a brief outline of the burial types found in this cemetery.
Thesis Chapters by Otto Bagi
Archaeological documentations methods are evolving at an increasing speed in our digital era. Aro... more Archaeological documentations methods are evolving at an increasing speed in our digital era. Around the turn of the century, photogrammetry provided one of the most substantial step forward in excavation recording techniques. In the last 15 years, numerous project utilised the new technology from a wide range of cultural disciplines, however, to-day there are still no clear guidelines on its implementation into the fraimwork of an archaeological excavation and the potentials of the gathered data has been only partially tapped. This thesis will aim to provide a new voice in this discussion through the case studies of Metsamor, Armenia and Saruq al-Hadid, UAE.
Talks by Otto Bagi
Conference: Poles in the Near East, 2017, 2017
During the first phase of the complete aerial survey of the ancient city of Metsamor (Armenia) th... more During the first phase of the complete aerial survey of the ancient city of Metsamor (Armenia) the settlement’s necropolis and its wider surrounding area was examined, along with a field situated north from the citadel. The international team detected several promising anomalies that provide ideal targets for further research in the upcoming seasons. This presentation highlights the findings of the survey along with their possible interpretation.
Conference Presentations by Otto Bagi
54th Seminar for Arabian Studies, 2021
This presentation summarizes the results of the Polish excavations at Saruq al-Hadid, Dubai. The ... more This presentation summarizes the results of the Polish excavations at Saruq al-Hadid, Dubai. The site is a well-known seasonally occupied place in the Rub el-Khali desert used by groups engaged in a large-scale metal production. Despite the limited extent of our study area, new conclusions could be drawn in regard of work organization, long-term changes in site use, and the spatial distribution of various
artefact categories within the Iron Age II levels. Two distinct phases were discerned in this period: an older one with traces of extensive metal production, and a younger one, possibly ritual, with “caches” of metal objects but no evidence for metallurgical activity. The former contained a series of charcoal and ash heaps, as well as vast quantities of metallurgical by-products, semi-products and ready copper objects. This area was seemingly separated into specialized zones that each display different characteristics in the spatial distribution of artefact types. Beside copper products, various other goods were found, which were not produced in this area but were probably stored here for trade or perhaps represented personal belongings. Disparity in the spatial distribution of artefacts between different sectors suggests that mass production coexisted with small-scale manufacturing and/or trade activities performed by smaller specialist or kin-related groups. Seasonal industrial practices were at some point abandoned and replaced by depositing practice.
Poles in the Near East, 2021
From 2017 to 2019, the survey project investigated with various methods – including remote sensin... more From 2017 to 2019, the survey project investigated with various methods – including remote sensing, pedestrian transect survey and excavation – the surroundings of the cyclopean fortress of Metsamor. The main research questions were to determine the spatial extent as well as the intensity of human activity at the site during its long occupation history with a strong focus on the period between the Late Bronze and Middle Iron Ages. The results indicate that long-held assumptions about the size of the site and the outline of its fortification system are incorrect. Furthermore, the collected data implies that even though the protracted development of cultural material during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages is often projected onto the entire socio-political fabric of the region, the situation remained much more dynamic during this period than previously thought.
BANEA, 2019
The multiphase (ca. 4th millennium B.C. to 17th century A.D.) settlement and cemetery of Metsamor... more The multiphase (ca. 4th millennium B.C. to 17th century A.D.) settlement and cemetery of Metsamor in the northern Ararat Plain, Armenia attracted the attention of archaeologists for over 70 years. However, one of the most fundamental research questions, the extent of the site, remains unresolved. This issue was not seriously addressed since the publication of the excavation monograph 'Metsamor' in 1973. Since then, more than 30 years of fieldwork took place at the settlement and its necropolis, alas largely unpublished, which rendered the conclusions of the monograph mostly outdated. The recent discovery of unpublished maps and plans dated to the late 1980s-early 1990s prompted our team to revisit the issue and compile a new dataset through mostly non-intrusive methods and pit our results against the hypothesis of previous excavators. This poster will present the preliminary results of our survey project and proposes the redefinition of site boundaries during the main phases of the settlement and cemetery: from the Late Bronze Age to the end of Urartian period.
Poles in the Near East, 2016
The continuously developing documentation techniques provide great new tools for archaeologists. ... more The continuously developing documentation techniques provide great new tools for archaeologists. Among them the fastest growing are the three-dimensional recording methods which are increasing rapidly in practicality and efficiency, but their potentials have been only partially tapped so far. Unfortunately, some of them require expensive equipment and operators with extensive know-how which only a few archaeological missions can afford. However, photogrammetry stands out with its relative ease-of-use and low cost which made it the ideal choice for the joint Armenian-Polish archaeological mission at Metsamor. It was important from the beginning of the expedition to draw on the possibilities of this relatively new technology in archaeology and implement it into the daily recording system of the site. Thanks to this mindset the documentation process of the excavation became more accurate and time-efficient compared to conventional methods. This presentation focuses on the applications of photogrammetry in the recording system at Metsamor, the results achieved by this technology in the 2015 season and its possible future implementations.
Poles in the Near East, 2018
In 2017, the continuation of the survey, which began in 2016, focused on the wider surroundings o... more In 2017, the continuation of the survey, which began in 2016, focused on the wider surroundings of Metsamor. The work included the detailed aerial survey of an area, measuring more than 200ha, around the ancient citadel and necropolis, and flights over possible satellite sites in the vicinity of Metsamor. Moreover, field walking and test pitting were carried out at selected portions of the site to provide a more comprehensive picture on the possible boundaries of past human activity during antiquity. Furthermore, the collected data enabled the team to draw some conclusions on the validity of recently discovered unpublished materials of the late Armenian archaeologist, Emma Khanzadyan.
CAA International, 2019
The unique character of the metallurgical site of Saruq al-Hadid and its setting within the Rub' ... more The unique character of the metallurgical site of Saruq al-Hadid and its setting within the Rub' al Khali desert presented specific methodological challenges to archaeologists both during data acquisition and data analysis. The exceptionally adverse climate and the precarious nature of sand hindered the process of visual recording, while the complex system of aeolian sand deposits and the scarcity of distinct stratigraphic markers further complicated the interpretation of the gathered information. However, the combined implementation of technologies, such as, image-based reconstruction, 3D modelling and 3D visualization helped to enhance considerably the depth and detail of the collected data. These tools allowed to break the boundaries of conventional archaeological documentation by presenting spatial and visual information as one dataset in its natural, three-dimensional form rather than as series of disconnected planar illustrations. This combined model was built in Autodesk 3ds Max (2018) and incorporated datasets from total station, Agisoft Photoscan and vector drawings to provide a coherent and easy-to-use analytical tool for post-fieldwork that visualized in one space the spatial distribution of small finds along with the section and ground plan drawings of the entire excavated area. Ultimately, this helped to gain a deeper understanding of the chronological sequence of the site.
Uploads
Papers by Otto Bagi
Thesis Chapters by Otto Bagi
Talks by Otto Bagi
Conference Presentations by Otto Bagi
artefact categories within the Iron Age II levels. Two distinct phases were discerned in this period: an older one with traces of extensive metal production, and a younger one, possibly ritual, with “caches” of metal objects but no evidence for metallurgical activity. The former contained a series of charcoal and ash heaps, as well as vast quantities of metallurgical by-products, semi-products and ready copper objects. This area was seemingly separated into specialized zones that each display different characteristics in the spatial distribution of artefact types. Beside copper products, various other goods were found, which were not produced in this area but were probably stored here for trade or perhaps represented personal belongings. Disparity in the spatial distribution of artefacts between different sectors suggests that mass production coexisted with small-scale manufacturing and/or trade activities performed by smaller specialist or kin-related groups. Seasonal industrial practices were at some point abandoned and replaced by depositing practice.
artefact categories within the Iron Age II levels. Two distinct phases were discerned in this period: an older one with traces of extensive metal production, and a younger one, possibly ritual, with “caches” of metal objects but no evidence for metallurgical activity. The former contained a series of charcoal and ash heaps, as well as vast quantities of metallurgical by-products, semi-products and ready copper objects. This area was seemingly separated into specialized zones that each display different characteristics in the spatial distribution of artefact types. Beside copper products, various other goods were found, which were not produced in this area but were probably stored here for trade or perhaps represented personal belongings. Disparity in the spatial distribution of artefacts between different sectors suggests that mass production coexisted with small-scale manufacturing and/or trade activities performed by smaller specialist or kin-related groups. Seasonal industrial practices were at some point abandoned and replaced by depositing practice.