Systematic literature review on automated monument detection: A remote investigation on patterns within the field of automated monument detection

Automated procedures are necessary to cope with the vast amounts of digitized information within the field of cultural heritage. During the last 15 years, digital landscape analysis and detection of cultural heritage monuments developed rapidly especially due to the availability of LiDAR data. With the increasing amount of information, automated procedures are suitable for monitoring and surveying known monuments, as well as detecting unknown monuments. This study measures the state of automated procedures within cultural heritage detection and management, by correlating key terms for LiDAR data with academic citations of their use. Cross-referencing this impact measure with occurrences of "automated procedures" enhances our understanding of best practices. We analyze these results, using the methods of network analysis (NA) with respect to personal, institutional, and financial ties and actors involved in automated monument detection. In addition, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) using standardized search structures on publications related to "automated monument detection" for LiDAR data from 2000 to 2015 reveals the evolution of the field. The observable trends and patterns within the combined results of (NA) and (SLR) allow for a critical assessment of current research practices. Based on these results we conclude by formulating recommendations for future implementations.