Abstract
How can archaeological research benefit from remote sensing.
Dr. Maurizio Fea, Dr. Chris Stewart, Dr. Stefano Gusmano
Team “Satellite remote Sensing in support to Egyptological Research, National Research Council of Italy (CNR – ISMA)
Remote sensing is a recognised asset to archaeological research. While ground based techniques are capable of identifying buried structures and are neither invasive nor destructive, their application over large areas is both costly and time consuming. Remote sensing techniques offer the advantage of providing a synoptic view, covering large areas, and demonstrating the capability to detect features not easily visible on the ground that may be important for archaeological applications.
A range of instruments and techniques can be used in remote sensing surveys including aerial photography, multi and hyperspectral imaging, thermal imaging, LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), photogrammetry and SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) based techniques. What these instruments and techniques have in common is that they use electromagnetic radiation to sense the Earth. Some instruments sense radiation from external sources, such as the sun in the case of optical sensors, or the Earth in the case of thermal sensors; other instruments emit their own source of radiation and measure the returned signal, such as radar and LIDAR sensors. Remote sensing instruments can be mounted on satellites, aircraft or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to benefit from wide area coverage of the region surveyed.
The main remote sensing techniques utilised for various archaeological applications are presented and compared. Examples are provided of results obtained in various archaeological projects with a focus on those based on satellite instruments and an emphasis on land cover types similar to those found in Egypt.
