Summary

In this project we aim to develop a cost-effective method for localising and monitoring cultural heritage sites and landscapes. The cost of systematically surveying large areas by means of conventional fieldwork provides the incentive for the development of alternatives. Depending on which field methods are employed, and the type of landscape surveyed, costs for conventional fieldwork will normally be around 250000 Norwegian Crowns (NOK) per square kilometre. In comparison, high-resolution satellite data cost less than NOK 150 per square kilometre, a fraction of conventional fieldwork costs.

Even though the costs associated with the processing of the satellite data will not be insignificant, and fieldwork can probably never be entirely replaced by high-technology methods, it seems plausible that an essentially cheaper, and possibly even qualitatively better, method for localization and monitoring of cultural heritage sites can be developed by using multi-spectral satellite data.

Our working assumption is that cultural heritage sites with no visually apparent manifestations above ground will be detectable in satellite images through local deviations in the spectral signature of the bare soil or that of smaller plants growing out of the soil. The current project is limited to sites located in agricultural fields. The problem of detecting such sites in forests is expected to be a much more complicated problem.

Project goals

The main project goal is to develop methods for using satellite imagery in simplified and cost-effective localisation and monitoring of cultural heritage sites and landscapes. In particular we aim to:

• Develop effective methods and an analysis system for localisation of cultural heritage sites and landscapes
• Develop a more cost effective monitoring of the environments surrounding cultural heritage sites
• To provide better data for national cultural heritage registers in Norway

For more information contact: Øivind Due Trier

Back to Section for Earth Observation