Airborne multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing techniques in archaeology: a comparative study

Aqdus, Syed Ali (2009) Airborne multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing techniques in archaeology: a comparative study. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Traditional and well-established applications of airborne remote sensing to archaeology involve
standard aerial photographic recording, either oblique or vertical, of archaeological phenomena
visible as shadow, soil or cropmarks, all of which require particular conditions before they
become visible. Cropmarks have made the most important contribution to archaeological site
discovery and are the most complex of the phenomena, whose occurrence relies upon the
differential availability of moisture to a crop growing over buried archaeological remains,
reflecting different soil depths and precipitation, to create differential growth patterns in times of
moisture stress.
Consistently successful aerial photographic reconnaissance for cropmarks relies on dry weather
and well-drained soils in arable agriculture. There is, thus, in Scotland a bias in the discovery of
archaeological sites in favour of drier eastern districts, supporting arable agriculture, compared to
the west with its wetter climate focussed on pastureland. Because cropmarks are linked to
moisture stress in growing plants they are potentially detectable in bands outside the visible part
of the electro-magnetic spectrum. Although historically cropmark detection has used film, whose
sensitivity closely approximates the human eye, hyperspectral scanning allows consideration of a
wider range of different wavelengths, beyond the visible spectrum, many of which are more
sensitive to changes in vegetation status.
The main objectives of this research are to test to what extent hyperspectral and multispectral
imagery can reveal otherwise invisible archaeological sites surviving as cropmarks; to assess the
relative usefulness of the different sensors employed; and to investigate the potential of
hyperspectral and multispectral imagery to augment cropmark detection rates in areas less
conducive to their production. It uses a range of imagery (CASI 2, ATM and digital vertical
photographic data) acquired by NERC ARSF from two case study sites in Lowland Scotland, one
in the east and one in the west, selected to facilitate comparison between areas of good and poor
cropmark production.
Following processing, comparison and detailed analysis of this data, this thesis has demonstrated
the high efficacy of this imagery in the identification of archaeological cropmarks; has established
the most appropriate range of bandwidths and processing methods applicable to that imagery;
has demonstrated its potential for the discovery of previously unrecognised archaeological sites in
areas of lowland pasture; and has reinforced the value of systematic block coverage as compared
to traditional ‘observer-directed’ archaeological aerial reconnaissance.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Due to copyright restrictions the full text of this thesis cannot be made available online. Access to the printed version is available.
• Keywords: Hyperspectral, Multispectral, Aerial Archaeology, cropmarks, Scotland, Inveresk, Clyde valley, Principal component analysis, Tasselled cap transformation, band combinations
• Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GA Mathematical geography. Cartography; G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography; C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Archaeology; College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Supervisor's Name: Hanson, Prof. William S. and Drummond, Dr. Jane
• Date of Award: 2009
• Depositing User: Dr Syed Ali Aqdus
• Unique ID: glathesis:2009-812
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 03 Jun 2009
• Last Modified: 13 Jun 2013 07:49
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/812