Observations of Archaeological Proxies through Phenological Analysis over the Megafort of Csanádpalota-Juhász T. tanya in Hungary Using Sentinel-2 Images
Journal
Remote Sensing
Date Issued
January 12, 2023
Author(s)
DOI
10.3390/rs15020464
Abstract
This study aims to investigate potential archaeological proxies at a large Bronze Age for-
tification in Hungary, namely the Csanádpalota–Juhász T. tanya site, using open-access satellite
data. Available Sentinel-2 images acquired between April 2017 and September 2022 were used.
More than 700 images (727) were initially processed and filtered, accounting at the end of more than
400 (412) available calibrated Level 2A Sentinel images over the case study area. Sentinel-2 images
were processed through image analysis. Based on pan-sharpened data, the visibility of crop marks
was improved and enhanced by implementing orthogonal equations. Several crop marks, some still
unknown, were revealed in this study. In addition, multi-temporal phenological observations were
recorded on three archaeological proxies (crop marks) within the case study area, while an addi-
tional area was selected for calibration purposes (agricultural field). Phenological observations were
performed for at least four complete phenological cycles throughout the study period. Statistical
comparisons between the selected archaeological proxies were applied using a range of vegetation
indices. The overall results indicated that phenological observations could be used as archaeological
proxies for detecting the formation of crop marks.
tification in Hungary, namely the Csanádpalota–Juhász T. tanya site, using open-access satellite
data. Available Sentinel-2 images acquired between April 2017 and September 2022 were used.
More than 700 images (727) were initially processed and filtered, accounting at the end of more than
400 (412) available calibrated Level 2A Sentinel images over the case study area. Sentinel-2 images
were processed through image analysis. Based on pan-sharpened data, the visibility of crop marks
was improved and enhanced by implementing orthogonal equations. Several crop marks, some still
unknown, were revealed in this study. In addition, multi-temporal phenological observations were
recorded on three archaeological proxies (crop marks) within the case study area, while an addi-
tional area was selected for calibration purposes (agricultural field). Phenological observations were
performed for at least four complete phenological cycles throughout the study period. Statistical
comparisons between the selected archaeological proxies were applied using a range of vegetation
indices. The overall results indicated that phenological observations could be used as archaeological
proxies for detecting the formation of crop marks.
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