Space Archaeology: Combining Past and Future

1. What is “space archaeology”?

It’s a fun term for the general public that describes how archaeologists use diverse remote sensing datasets—from lasers to space based imaging systems—to map partially to totally invisible ancient features, from small walls to entire cities. Other terms are “satellite archaeology” “satellite remote sensing” and “remote sensing.”

2. How does remote sensing work?

Many satellite sensors capture light reflected off the Earth’s surface, recorded in the visible through infrared parts of the light spectrum. Scientists can order and download the satellite data either for free from NASA or from commercial companies for high resolution data. They then process it using off the shelf software, using differences in the vegetation, soil, or water content in the imagery to make subtle to otherwise invisible features appear—from small walls or roads to relic river courses or monumental structures.

3. Why do archaeologists use satellites?

Satellites are one of a number of tools available to help archaeologists gain a better understanding of the landscapes around the sites where they work, and a way for them to discover features on sites or even entire sites in time and cost-efficient ways. It can take decades to survey regions, and satellites can help archaeological teams to zoom in on the exact places to look and map. Satellites can also help archaeologists find areas of sites that have experienced looting.

Studying archaeology allows us to contextualize all the bad and all the good and reframe how we deal with issues like climate change, migration, or societal collapse.

4. How did you start using satellite imagery?

I started my senior year at Yale, when I took an introductory remote sensing class. My first project was using NASA satellite imagery to locate modern water sources in Sinai that could potentially lead to the discovery of ancient sites. I expanded this research during my MPhil year to actual survey work in Sinai, and then in my PhD to areas across Egypt.

5. What is your greatest discovery?

My husband. I found him on my first excavation in Egypt back in 1999. Totally unexpected. I was looking for a date. I literally found him down a hole.

6. Where have you excavated/worked?

So many places. I’ve been lucky. Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Romania, Italy, Scotland, Iceland,...

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