Airborne and spaceborne remote sensing and digital image analysis in archaeology

Remote sensing has a long and successful track record of detecting and mapping archaeological traces of human activity in the landscape. Since the early twentieth century, the tools and procedures of aerial archaeology evolved gradually, while earth observation remote sensing experienced major steps of technological and methodological advancements and innovation that today enable the monitoring of the earth’s surface at unprecedented accuracy, resolution and complexity. Much of the remote sensing data acquired in this process potentially holds important information about the location and context of archaeological sites and objects. Archaeology has started to make use of this tremendous potential by developing new approaches for the detection and mapping of archaeological traces based on digital remote sensing data and the associated tools and procedures. This chapter reviews the history, tools, methods, procedures and products of archaeological remote sensing and digital image analysis, emphasising recent trends towards convergence of aerial archaeology and earth observation remote sensing.Digital ArchaeologyEuropean Prehistor