A new environmental and spatial approach to the Tiwanaku World Heritage site (Bolivia) using remote sensing (UAV and satellite images)

A groundbreaking study of the Tiwanaku World Heritage site in Bolivia reveals previously unknown archaeological structures, including drainage systems, walls, and circular crop marks, using a combination of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and satellite imagery. The research employed Sentinel-2 images processed with principal components analysis and histogram equalization to uncover buried drainage channels and flood-prone areas surrounding key structures. This approach provides unprecedented insights into the land and water use practices of the Tiwanaku culture, shedding light on their environmental adaptation strategies and historical relationship with water in the Bolivian altiplano.

Pérez González, M. E., & Gallego Revilla, J. I. (2019). A new environmental and spatial approach to the Tiwanaku World Heritage site (Bolivia) using remote sensing (UAV and satellite images). Geoarchaeology, 35(3), 416–429. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.21778