Remote sensing technology revolutionises archaeological research

Article By : Toni Urrutia

Find out in this article how researchers from National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bangalore are employing new methods - remote sensing and GPS technologies to advance archaeological research.

Digging, excavating, comparing artefacts and manual analysis – these are the traditional methods of archaeology. But as technology advances, so does archaeological methods – these new methods propell the field to advance by adopting a vast array of technological tools in its arsenal.

The National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bangalore is embracing this new phase of evolution in archaeological research; however, they are wary of possible damage to artefacts at the time of excavation. The basic tools utilised for non-invasive ways of conducting archaeological research are remote sensing technology, GPS (Global Positioning System) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Google Earth and Bhuvan also aid in preliminary analysis – open-source satellite-based imagery allows the researchers to compare seasonal changes in the landscape around archaeological sites, following the preliminary analysis with a thorough study of high-resolution, multi-spectral and stereo imagery.

Upon gathering a suitable amount of imagery, the next task would be scanning large areas via the team's computer screens and look for ground-based clues for their investigations. These rapid scanning of large areas identify promising sites at a fraction of a time than having a team physically visit the sites.

Extracting information through the use of these modern archaeological methods allow faster investigation and a more comprehensive research, allowing the researchers to discover associated features that have shed light on secrets lost over the years. The researchers aim to fine-tune the tools and techniques used for their investigation.

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