Automated detection of archaeological mounds using machine-learning classification of multisensor and multitemporal satellite data

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Hector A OrengoCameron A Petrie

Abstract

This paper presents an innovative multisensor, multitemporal machine-learning approach using remote sensing big data for the detection of archaeological mounds in Cholistan (Pakistan). The Cholistan Desert presents one of the largest concentrations of Indus Civilization sites (from ca 3300 to 1500 BC). Cholistan has figured prominently in theories about changes in water availability, the rise and decline of the Indus Civilization, and the transformation of fertile monsoonal alluvial plains into an extremely arid margin. This paper implements a multisensor, multitemporal machine-learning approach for the remote detection of archaeological mounds. A classifier algorithm that employs a large-scale collection of synthetic-aperture radar and multispectral images has been implemented in Google Earth Engine, resulting in an accurate probability map for mound-like signatures across an area that covers ca 36,000 km2 The results show that the area presents many more archaeological mounds than previously recorded, extending south and east into the desert, which has major implications for understanding the archaeological significance of the region. The detection of small (<5 ha) to large mounds (>30 ha) suggests that there were continuous ...Continue Reading

References

Mar 21, 2012·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Bjoern H Menze, Jason A Ur
May 31, 2012·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Liviu GiosanJames P M Syvitski
Jul 16, 2017·Scientific Reports·Nitesh KhondeLiviu Giosan
Mar 28, 2018·Scientific Reports·Ziad Al Bkhetan, Dariusz Plewczynski
Sep 25, 2019·Sensors·Athos AgapiouDiofantos G Hadjimitsis

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Software Mentioned

Photointerpretation
Bing Maps
Google Earth
GEE Code Editor
Cholistan
Google Earth Engine ( GEE )
GEE
GIS
Google Earth basemap
Sentinel

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