An assessment of Sentinel-1 radar and Sentinel-2 multispectral data for remote archaeological investigation and preservation: Qubbet el-Hawa, Egypt

TL;DR

This study demonstrates how Sentinel-1 radar and Sentinel-2 multispectral satellite data can be used to map, monitor, and assess archaeological sites like Qubbet el-Hawa, providing valuable insights into subsurface structures and site preservation.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel approach combining radar and multispectral satellite data for archaeological site analysis and conservation, highlighting radar's sensitivity to subsurface features and disturbances.

Findings

Radar backscatter detects exposed structures and soil disturbances.

Subsurface features like causeways appear as radar discontinuities.

Satellite revisit time enables frequent monitoring for heritage preservation.

Abstract

Remote sensing for archaeological investigations using surface response is reasonably well established, however, remote subsurface exploration is limited by depth and penetration and ground resolution. Furthermore, the conservation of archaeological sites requires constant monitoring capability, which is often not feasible between annual field seasons, but may be provided by modern satellite coverage. Here we develop an approach using Sentinel-1 C-band radar backscatter, and Sentinel-2 multispectral data, to map and characterise the site of Qubbet el-Hawa, Egypt. The multispectral bands analysed show similar sensitivity to satellite imagery. However, the radar backscatter is sensitive to exposed known structures, as well as disturbances to soil textural/composition profile due to excavation/erosion. Sub-resolution features such as causeways manifest as a 'radar-break' in the backscatter - a discontinuity in otherwise continuous radar units. Furthermore, the finite subsurface response in the backscatter under the arid conditions of the site means we are able to delineate some shallow subsurface structures and map their orientation beneath the surface in areas not yet excavated. The sensitivity of Sentinel-1 backscatter to soil disturbance and human activity at Qubbet el-Hawa, and the short (~12 day) recurrence time of the satellites, makes it an important tool in heritage conservation.