Satellite Remote Sensing and Heritage applications 2010-2020: A Decade of Change
Date Issued
October 2021
Author(s)
Abstract
Space observations have been well introduced over the last years to support archaeological
research, from site detection and monitoring to the reconstruction of landscapes with
archaeological interest. During the last decade, a technological shift has been observed in the
domain of earth observation. This paper aims to summarise these technological changes and
present their impact on archaeological research and practice.
The paper introduces new technology-driven developments of satellite observation, such as
the launch of high-resolution resolution radar and optical sensors. Other new technological
revolutions have also been reported in the near past. Private companies have designed and
launched several mini CubeSats, into a single orbit plane, allowing thus a systematic (daily)
monitoring. In addition, optical videos from space are available upon request to end-users,
while off-nadir high-resolution images can also be requested for specific purposes, including
archaeological research. The launch of the Copernicus Sentinel missions during this decade
can be characterised as a milestone of the earth observation science. These sensors can
provide with a high temporal resolution radar and optical images in an almost global scale.
Already applications from their exploitation can be found in the literature ranging from site
detection and prediction modelling as well as reconstruction of archaeological landscapes.
Beyond space sensors, research was also motivated by the exploitation of satellite observation
big data services. While the idea of big data remains relatively new, the increasing demand for
real-time or near real-time processing capability by many time-critical remote sensing
applications have made the data-intensive issue even worse. In this direction, big data cloud
services are currently available, spanning from the Public Sector Initiatives, Private Sector
Offers and the Public-Private Partnerships. The paper presents some examples from the
exploitation of these services for heritage management.
The archaeological community and other researchers interested in the protection of cultural
heritage and further exploitation of earth observation data, need to work closely together to
ameliorate and finally maximise the impact of big earth observation data. The overall capacity
of existing sensors is critical to be well understood by the scientific community and therefore
unlock potential synergies between the variety of sensors. This will allow expanding the
scope of space-based Earth system science in order to meet the needs of heritage management
site monitoring and detection. The integration of space sensors in various research studies can
maximise the outcomes and support future research, going thus beyond the processing of
existing individual datasets.
research, from site detection and monitoring to the reconstruction of landscapes with
archaeological interest. During the last decade, a technological shift has been observed in the
domain of earth observation. This paper aims to summarise these technological changes and
present their impact on archaeological research and practice.
The paper introduces new technology-driven developments of satellite observation, such as
the launch of high-resolution resolution radar and optical sensors. Other new technological
revolutions have also been reported in the near past. Private companies have designed and
launched several mini CubeSats, into a single orbit plane, allowing thus a systematic (daily)
monitoring. In addition, optical videos from space are available upon request to end-users,
while off-nadir high-resolution images can also be requested for specific purposes, including
archaeological research. The launch of the Copernicus Sentinel missions during this decade
can be characterised as a milestone of the earth observation science. These sensors can
provide with a high temporal resolution radar and optical images in an almost global scale.
Already applications from their exploitation can be found in the literature ranging from site
detection and prediction modelling as well as reconstruction of archaeological landscapes.
Beyond space sensors, research was also motivated by the exploitation of satellite observation
big data services. While the idea of big data remains relatively new, the increasing demand for
real-time or near real-time processing capability by many time-critical remote sensing
applications have made the data-intensive issue even worse. In this direction, big data cloud
services are currently available, spanning from the Public Sector Initiatives, Private Sector
Offers and the Public-Private Partnerships. The paper presents some examples from the
exploitation of these services for heritage management.
The archaeological community and other researchers interested in the protection of cultural
heritage and further exploitation of earth observation data, need to work closely together to
ameliorate and finally maximise the impact of big earth observation data. The overall capacity
of existing sensors is critical to be well understood by the scientific community and therefore
unlock potential synergies between the variety of sensors. This will allow expanding the
scope of space-based Earth system science in order to meet the needs of heritage management
site monitoring and detection. The integration of space sensors in various research studies can
maximise the outcomes and support future research, going thus beyond the processing of
existing individual datasets.
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