Development of an image-based method for the detection of archaeological buried relics using multi-temporal satellite imagery
Journal
International Journal of Remote Sensing
Date Issued
May 28, 2013
DOI
10.1080/01431161.2013.803630
Abstract
Remote sensing has been successfully used for the exposure of shallow buried relics
such as archaeological remains. The detection is mainly based on photointerpretation
of high-resolution satellite or aerial images. Photointerpretation for archaeological purposes
is focused on the identification of crop marks using visible and near infrared
(VNIR) spectrum (e.g. vegetation indices) response, which is sensitive to vegetation
stress. Detection of such marks is always performed through images of adequate spatial
resolution, and therefore this procedure might be problematic in cases when there is a
lack of accessibility to such kinds of data. This paper addresses this problem and illustrates
an image-based method intended for the detection of crop marks using satellite
data of inadequate spatial resolution. The overall methodology consists of seven separate
steps. The method needs two areas of interest to be selected in the image, preferably
in close proximity to one another. The first area is characterized as the ‘archaeological
area under investigation’while the second is a vegetated non-archaeological area. These
two areas are simultaneously examined in detail using spectral signatures, soil lines,
and their phenological cycle characteristics. The proposed methodology has been successfully
applied in three different areas in Cyprus and Greece, where the authors have
already used the technique for validation purposes.
such as archaeological remains. The detection is mainly based on photointerpretation
of high-resolution satellite or aerial images. Photointerpretation for archaeological purposes
is focused on the identification of crop marks using visible and near infrared
(VNIR) spectrum (e.g. vegetation indices) response, which is sensitive to vegetation
stress. Detection of such marks is always performed through images of adequate spatial
resolution, and therefore this procedure might be problematic in cases when there is a
lack of accessibility to such kinds of data. This paper addresses this problem and illustrates
an image-based method intended for the detection of crop marks using satellite
data of inadequate spatial resolution. The overall methodology consists of seven separate
steps. The method needs two areas of interest to be selected in the image, preferably
in close proximity to one another. The first area is characterized as the ‘archaeological
area under investigation’while the second is a vegetated non-archaeological area. These
two areas are simultaneously examined in detail using spectral signatures, soil lines,
and their phenological cycle characteristics. The proposed methodology has been successfully
applied in three different areas in Cyprus and Greece, where the authors have
already used the technique for validation purposes.