Poorly known 2018 floods in Bosra UNESCO site and Sergiopolis in Syria unveiled from space using Sentinel-1/2 and COSMO-SkyMed

A comprehensive assessment of the 2018 floods affecting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bosra and the landscape of Sergiopolis-Resafa in Syria reveals significant, previously underreported impacts on cultural heritage. Using advanced satellite imagery from the European Commission's Copernicus Sentinels and Italy's COSMO-SkyMed, researchers uncovered that these natural events caused widespread flooding, with waters persisting for days to weeks in Bosra beyond the reported Roman Theatre damage. In Sergiopolis, while main ruins were protected by fortifications, extensive floodplains were inundated, mirroring ancient embankment and dam systems hypothesized by archaeologists. The study highlights the potential of satellite archives to systematically uncover unnoticed risks to heritage sites, offering a powerful tool for proactive preservation efforts in conflict-affected regions.

Tapete, D., & Cigna, F. (2020). Poorly known 2018 floods in Bosra UNESCO site and Sergiopolis in Syria unveiled from space using Sentinel-1/2 and COSMO-SkyMed. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-69181-x