Exploiting satellite SAR for archaeological prospection and heritage site protection

Advanced satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical remote sensing techniques have significantly enhanced archaeological prospection and heritage site protection, particularly for buried or subsurface assets. A study demonstrates that these methods, combined with big data analysis and high-performance computing, can effectively detect archaeological features, monitor threats from ground instability or urban development, and assess post-disaster impacts in natural reserves. The research showcases six case studies—including the Ostia-Portus area (Italy), Wuhan (China), Jiuzhaigou National Park (China), and Siberia’s ‘Valley of the Kings’ (Russia)—using high-resolution satellite and UAV imagery, DEMs, and geodetic data. Findings highlight SAR’s advantages in semi-vegetated landscapes while acknowledging limitations, offering a robust framework for heritage preservation.

Cigna, F., Balz, T., Tapete, D., Caspari, G., Fu, B., Abballe, M., & Jiang, H. (2023). Exploiting satellite SAR for archaeological prospection and heritage site protection. Geo-Spatial Information Science, 27(3), 526–551. https://doi.org/10.1080/10095020.2023.2223603