Uses of Sentinel-1 and -2 Images in Heritage Management: A Case Study from Lednica Landscape Park (Poland)

This article aims to demonstrate the use of Sentinel images to develop strategies for heritage protection and management in rural landscapes that are currently undergoing dynamic transformations. Construction works are causing rapid and extensive land use changes that threaten archaeological structures. Moreover, the modernisation of farming practices may also negatively affect the efficiency of archaeological prospection. The rapidity of those processes requires the application of relevant tools to monitor changes and highlight negative tendencies in areas surrounding archaeological sites. High frequency of Sentinel-1 and -2's acquisition may offer an immediate insight into current tendencies. Radar and optical data obtained from those satellites between 2016 and 2020 were analysed to identify trends in building development and land use/cover changes in Lednica Landscape Park. Preliminary results indicate a considerable potential of spectral analysis based on Sentinel-2 to monitor changes related to building development, as well as for the precise planning of a field survey. Sentinel-1 proved more problematic due to a range of factors related to data characteristics and processing. Using those results, we will discuss the potential and limitations of the proposed methodology and data.

Automated summary

This article demonstrates the use of Sentinel images for heritage protection and management in rural landscapes undergoing dynamic transformations. Construction works and modern farming practices pose challenges to the preservation of archaeological structures. Through the analysis of radar and optical data from Sentinel-1 and -2, trends in building development and land use changes can be identified.