425:, scouted the area on several trips, and stopped at a water well called Ash Shisar. Near this oasis was located a site previously identified as the 16th century Shis'r fort. Excavations uncovered an older settlement, and artifacts traded from far and wide were found. This older fort was found to have been built on top of a large limestone cavern which would have served as the water source for the fort, making it an important oasis on the trade route to Iram. As the residents of the fort consumed the water from underground, the water table fell, leaving the limestone roof and walls of the cavern dry. Without the support of the water, the cavern would have been in danger of collapse, and it seems to have done so some time between 300-500 AD, destroying the oasis and covering over the water source.
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and vegetation that can not be seen by the naked eye. Commercially available satellites have a .4m-90m resolution that make it possible to see most ancient sites and their associated features in such places as Egypt, Perù and Mexico. It is a hope of archaeologists that in the next few decades resolutions will improve to the point where they are capable of zooming in on a single pottery shard buried beneath the earth's surface.
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primarily ecological disaster. By detecting deforestation rates and trends can help us to understand how these same processes affected the Maya. An important contribution to the study of Maya has been provided by LiDAR thanks to its ability to penetrate dense tropical canopies. LiDAR has been applied to the site of
Caracol, Belize in 2009, revealing an impressive monumental complex covered by jungle.
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228:) and roads. Sever has stressed the enormous use of remote sensing in uncovering settlement patterns, population densities, societal structure, communication, and transportation. Sever has done much of his research in the Petén region of northern Guatemala, where he and his research team have used satellite imagery and
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technology is of very definite use there. The Petén is a densely forested region and it lacks modern settlements and infrastructure. As a result, it is extremely difficult to survey, and because of this remote sensing offers a solution to this research problem. The use of remote sensing techniques in
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Desmond, Lawrence G. and
William A. Sauck.Entering the Maya Underworld: A ground penetrating radar Survey at Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. Innovation et Technologie au Service de Patrimoine de l'Humanite, Actes du colloque organise par Admitech en collaboration avec l'Unesco, Paris, 24 June 1996,
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of the Petén are undergoing massive deforestation, and Sever's remote sensing offers another window into this understanding and halting this problem. Monitoring the rate of deforestation not only has important ecological value, but the use of remote sensing can detect landscape change. By measuring
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Landscape features such as soil, vegetation, geology, and man-made structures of possible cultural interest have specific signatures that the multi-spectral satellites can help to identify. The satellites can then make a 3D image of the area to show if there are any man-made structures beneath soil
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Satellite archaeology is an emerging field of archaeology that uses high resolution satellites with thermal and infrared capabilities to pinpoint potential sites of interest in the earth around a meter or so in depth. The infrared light used by these satellites have longer wavelengths than that of
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topography could shed light on solutions to modern ecological problems that modern peoples in the Petén currently face, which is much the same, except there are fewer people who are causing even more damage to the biodiversity and cultural diversity. Sever believes that the Maya collapse was a
344:, provided important results by using satellite imagery for both site discovery and the protection of archaeological heritage. In particular, by processing QuickBird images a large buried settlement, including a pyramid, in the Nasca riverbed (Southern Peru), near the Ceremonial Center of
327:. This far outweighs the carrying capacity for this region, but this follows centuries of successful adaptation. Other data shows that by the end of the classic period, the Maya had already depleted much of the rain forest. Understanding how the ancient Maya adapted to this
323:. These offer a glimpse into Maya cultural adaptations during the period of their highest population density. At the height of the classic period, the population in the Maya lowlands was 500 - 1300 people per square mile in rural areas, and even more in
191:, thickly forested landscape which offers an incredible barrier for field archaeologists to penetrate. With the advent of remote sensing techniques, a plethora of information has been uncovered about the region and about the people that inhabited it.
612:
Chase, A.F.; Chase, D. Z.; Weishampel, J. F.; Drake, J. B.; Shrestha, R. L.; Slatton, K. C.; Awe, J. J. & Carter W. E. (2010). Airborne LiDAR, archaeology, and the ancient Maya landscape at
Caracol, Belize. Journal of Archaeological Science.
211:. Archaeologists have identified vegetative differentiation associated with such features. With the advent of remote sensing, archaeologists are able to pinpoint and study the features hidden beneath this canopy without ever visiting the jungle.
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visible light and are therefore capable of penetrating the Earth's surface. The images are then taken and processed by an archaeologist who specializes in satellite remote sensing in order to find any subtle anomalies on the Earth's surface.
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are not visible from the ground. By mapping these forms, Sever is able to locate new sites and further uncover ancient Maya methods of communicated and transportation. Sever and his team also use remote sensing methods to gather data on
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that could pose threats to such sites. In spite of this, satellites in archaeology are mostly a tool for broad scale survey and focused excavation. All archaeological projects need ground work in order to verify any potential findings.
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systems. Synthetic
Aperture Radar (SAR) has proved particularly useful in this research. SAR is a type of radar that is sensitive to linear and geometric features on the ground. It is also important to include a method called
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and related problems that have driven remote sensing methodology in the hopes of understanding the complex adaptations that the Maya developed. Remote sensing methods have also proven invaluable when working to discover
348:, has been detected. In the region of Lambayeque (Northern Peru), which is strongly affected by clandestine excavations, satellite imagery have been also employed for mapping and monitoring archaeological looting.
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Sever, Thomas and L and Irwin, Daniel E.LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY: Remote-sensing investigation of the ancient Maya in the Peten rainforest of northern
Guatemala. Ancient Mesoamerica. Issue 1, vol.14. January
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258:, as well as shifting land use patterns and the associated cultural diversity, archaeologists are given a window into depletion rates and trends in anthropogenic landscape alteration.
274:, or the process of physically visiting (on foot) the localities surveyed to verify the data and help inform the interpretation. GPS is often used to aid in this process.
307:". Sever's research on communication and transportation systems points to an extensive societal infrastructure capable of supporting the building and maintenance of the
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One of Sever's research goals is understanding the comparatively sudden decline of many Maya centers in the central
Lowlands region by the end of the 1st millennium
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Satellite archaeology is a non-invasive method for mapping and monitoring potential archaeological sites in an ever changing world that faces issues such as
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are also used for archaeological imaging. Although these are sometimes classed as remote sensing, they are usually considered a separate discipline (see
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Said-Moorhouse, Lauren. "Space archaeologist unlocks secrets to ancient civilizations". CNN Travel. 20 Sep. 2013. Website. 28 Jan. 2014.
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Pope, Kevin O. and Dahlin, Bruce H.Ancient Maya wetland agriculture: new insights from ecological and remote sensing research.
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The Petén is arguably one of the most difficult of the Maya landscapes in which to subsist. It is questions regarding
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Rindfuss, Ronald R and Stern, Paul C. Linking Remote
Sensing and Social Science: The Need and the New Challenges.
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this region is a great example of the applications these methods have for archaeologists. The Petén is a hilly,
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Sever, Thomas L.Validating
Prehistoric and Current Social Phenomena upon the Landscape of the Peten, Guatemala.
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archaeologist Tom Sever, who has applied remote sensing to research in Maya site discovery as well as mapping
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techniques allows archaeologists to uncover unique data that is unobtainable using traditional archaeological
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was identified as a possible location for an outpost of the lost civilization. A team including adventurer
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built to connect cities and settlements. These landscape artifacts represent the advantage of using
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468:. She has also prospectively identified several significant sites in various parts of the ancient
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are an increasingly important component of the technical and methodological tool set available in
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Remote
Sensing methods employed in the service of archaeological investigations include:
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Some of the most prominent remote sensing research has been done in regard to
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Ground-based geophysical methods have also been employed in Maya research.
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http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/02/travel/space-archaeologist-unlocks-secrets/
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uses satellites to search for sub-surface remains, as described in her
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716:"What is space archaeology?". Sarah Parcak. Website. 28 Jan. 2014.
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the magnitude of landscape change in terms of vegetative cover and
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routes and points where they converged. These roads were used as
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For the application of archaeology to artifacts in space, see
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People and Pixels: Linking Remote
Sensing and Social Science.
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People and Pixels: Linking Remote Sensing and Social Science.
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In Peru, an Italian scientific mission of CNR, directed by
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A pioneer in the use of remote sensing in Maya research is
281:(GPR) has been performed on a number of sites, including
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16190824
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Laser altimeters or light detection and ranging (LIDAR)
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http://www.sarahparcak.com/index2.php#/multi-text_5/1/
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to map undiscovered roads and causeways the ancient
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432:, tracing the historical presence by the people of
428:Four subsequent excavations were conducted by Dr.
261:Much attention has been devoted to the mapping of
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681:"The Frankincense Route Emerges From the Desert"
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504:National Academy Press. Washington D.C.1998. ,
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570:National Academy Press. Washington D.C.1998.,
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363:(or region surrounding the lost city) on the
73:Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS)
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751:BBC 4, 31 December 2013, Rome's Lost Empire
645:"Ancient Peru pyramid spotted by satellite"
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303:, a happenstance often referred to as the "
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436:, the assumed ancestral builders of Iram.
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112:Ground-based geophysical methods such as
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26:Remote sensing techniques in archaeology
398:trade routes around 2800 BC to 100 BC.
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843:Psychological and sociological effects
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738:"Rome's Lost Empire, BBC One, review"
517:. National Geographic. Archived from
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315:, researchers have been able to map
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157:Examples of regional applications
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122:Geophysical survey (archaeology)
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667:Protecting Peru's ancient past
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1311:Remote sensing archaeologists
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482:Remote sensing archaeologists
336:Satellite archaeology in Peru
581:Journal of field archaeology
454:subject of space archaeology
55:, UAV and Satellite Imaging
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371:remote sensing satellites,
103:INSAR - Interferometric SAR
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740:. Telegraph. Dec 10, 2012.
440:Egypt and the Roman Empire
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78:Color Infrared Film (CIR)
583:.Vol. 16 p. 87-106. 1989
555:NASA archaeology website
373:ground penetrating radar
352:Location of ancient Iram
279:Ground Penetrating Radar
114:Ground Penetrating Radar
515:"Satellite archaeology"
305:(Classic) Maya collapse
1301:Methods in archaeology
1281:Outer space portal
540:NOVA Science interview
913:Extraterrestrial life
390:data to identify old
295:Classic Maya collapse
150:groundwater pollution
128:Satellite archaeology
68:Hyperspectral Sensors
32:research. The use of
311:and roadways. Using
196:subsistence patterns
1316:Iram of the Pillars
357:Iram of the Pillars
178:region of northern
1196:Other technologies
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657:on April 26, 2013.
89:Satellite Imaging
59:Aerial photography
44:General techniques
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1175:Carbonated drinks
1147:Human spaceflight
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20:Space archaeology
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790:... in space
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470:Roman Empire
456:and uses of
446:Sarah Parcak
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430:Juris Zarins
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417:, filmmaker
415:Juris Zarins
405:province of
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118:Magnetometry
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1071:Exploration
1009:Advertising
953:Environment
928:Astrobotany
891:Fruit flies
525:13 February
392:camel train
386:as well as
172:Mesoamerica
170:studies in
1295:Categories
1253:Telescopes
1138:Technology
991:Weathering
838:Psychology
823:Locomotion
691:2007-12-06
593:pp. 23-30.
488:References
466:Nile Delta
383:Challenger
321:reservoirs
267:irrigation
38:excavation
1234:for Earth
1221:Batteries
1203:Logistics
1155:Accidents
1101:Christmas
966:Corrosion
906:Tortoises
864:Non-human
361:lost city
309:causeways
242:causeways
240:as these
220:causeways
180:Guatemala
1096:Religion
1086:Military
1022:of Earth
901:Primates
828:Medicine
721:Archived
650:NBC News
476:See also
450:TED Talk
346:Cahuachi
205:cisterns
201:features
1258:Weapons
1226:Nuclear
1187:Writing
1182:Toilets
1165:Farming
1113:Tourism
1108:Selfies
1049:Economy
1014:Alcohol
1002:Society
986:Weather
961:Climate
871:Animals
818:Hygiene
797:Biology
452:on the
225:sacbeob
209:temples
189:karstic
146:looting
1230:Solar
1217:Power
1213:Mining
1118:Voting
1066:Ethics
1054:Mining
1039:Burial
971:Debris
923:Plants
403:Dhofar
317:canals
263:canals
249:. The
207:, and
174:. The
148:, and
53:Aerial
1248:Radar
1128:Women
1091:Music
1059:Trade
886:Frogs
855:Sleep
805:Human
462:Egypt
359:is a
329:karst
176:Petén
1170:Food
1076:Food
976:Dust
896:Mice
881:Dogs
876:Cats
603:2003
527:2014
407:Oman
388:SPOT
369:NASA
319:and
265:and
234:Maya
216:NASA
168:Maya
116:and
66:and
1123:War
1081:Law
1034:Art
850:Sex
615:doi
464:'s
434:ʿĀd
230:GIS
124:).
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683:.
647:.
547:^
472:.
375:,
301:CE
203:,
144:,
782:e
775:t
768:v
727:.
694:.
633:.
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557:,
542:,
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