High resolution satellite ortho-images for archaeological research: different methods and experiences in the Near and Middle East

Abstract. The paper concerns the very significant contribution of satellite ortho-images to archaeological research. The unavailability of cartography, updated or in adequate scale, is a recurring problem for archaeological research operating in urban and territorial contexts, and in the last years interesting experiences have been carried out with the use of satellite ortho-images; they can provide constant support to field work, both excavations and surveys, and to the management of data in archaeological GIS. As an example of this, the paper shows the results achieved by three research projects carried out by CNR-IBAM in the Near and Middle East, the Hierapolis of Phrygia Survey Project, the Tell Tuqan Survey Project and the Iraq Virtual Museum Project in which base-maps and cartographies satellite ortho-images have been widely used. In these projects, the use of very high resolution satellite images was necessary because large scale and updated cartographies and aerial photos are not available. In the examples shown, satellite ortho-images have different uses, often linked to the possibility or not of an accurate ortho-rectification, with the possibility of the collection of Ground Control Points and with the availability of high resolution DEMs. These images were used to create space-maps for the field work, as well as to realize and update archaeological maps and cartographies finalized to archaeological research. In the cases study presented, WorldView-1, QuickBird-2 and Ikonos-2 images, also stereo-pairs, were used.