Exploring the Utility of Bathymetry Maps Derived With Multispectral Satellite Observations in the Field of Underwater Archaeology

• Authors: Radoslaw Guzinski , Elias Spondylis , Myrto Michalis , Sebastiano Tusa , Giacoma Brancato , Lorenzo Minno , Lars Boye Hansen
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Bathymetry maps derived with satellite-based multispectral sensors have been used extensively for environmental and engineering coastal studies and monitoring. However, so far this technique has not been widely exploited in other coastal applications, such as underwater archaeology. Submerged settlements and shipwrecks are often located in water depths where the application of multispectral satellite data is feasible. This could lead to more efficient field work practices thus enabling more optimal allocations of costs and labour during archaeological excavations. This study explores the contribution of processed satellite bathymetry maps to the recording of two archaeological coastal sites: a submerged prehistoric settlement in Greece and a shipwreck of a modern cargo vessel in Italy. The results indicate that even though the accuracy of satellite derived bathymetry is high, the level of detail (spatial resolution) is not sufficient to fully replace field-based measurements. However, the use of satellite data complements the existing techniques and can help to place the archaeological sites within a broader spatial context as well as to efficiently monitor the deterioration of a site due to natural causes or human activity, which inevitably leads to risk management. When the study of larger objects is involved (for example First World War shipwrecks) the potential of using satellite data in underwater archaeological studies becomes more promising.

Keywords

EN

Bathymetry; underwater archaeology; satellite data

• Publisher: Sciendo
• Journal: Open Archaeology
• Year: 2016
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 1

Dates

received

2016-03-09

accepted

2016-09-16

online

2016-11-23

Contributors

author

Radoslaw Guzinski

• European Space Agency, ESA Centre for Earth Observation (ESRIN), Via Galileo Galilei, Casella Postale 64, 00044 Roma, Italy
• DHI-GRAS, Agern Alle 5, DK-2970 Hørsholm, Denmark

author

Elias Spondylis

• Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology (H.I.M.A.), Saripolou 9st, Athens 106 82, Greece

author

Myrto Michalis

• Hellenic Institute of Marine Archaeology (H.I.M.A.), Saripolou 9st, Athens 106 82, Greece

author

Sebastiano Tusa

• Regione Siciliana, Dipartimento dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità Siciliana, Soprintendenza del mare, Via Lungarini 9, 90133 Palermo, Italy

author

Giacoma Brancato

• Regione Siciliana, Dipartimento dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità Siciliana, Soprintendenza del mare, Via Lungarini 9, 90133 Palermo, Italy

author

Lorenzo Minno

• Codevintec Italiana srl, via Labus 13, 20147 Milano, Italy

author

Lars Boye Hansen

• DHI-GRAS, Agern Alle 5, DK-2970 Hørsholm, Denmark

Identifiers

DOI

10.1515/opar-2016-0018