Journal
GEOSCIENCES
Volume 8, Issue 9, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/geosciences8090334
Keywords
synthetic aperture radar; subsurface imaging; microwave penetration; archaeology; arid environments; remote sensing; Oman
Categories
Funding
- German Aerospace Center (DLR) Science Program [Other7038]
- SOAR-E (Science and Operational Applications Research-Education Initiative) of the Canada Space Agency [5410]
- NASA ROSES (Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences) Grant [NNX13AO48G]
- Johns Hopkins University Catalyst Grant
- Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award [DE180101288]
- University of Arkansas, Centre for Advanced Spatial Technologies, Spatial Archaeometry Research Collaborations (CAST/SPARC) Program
- Space@Hopkins Grant
- Australian Research Council [DE180101288] Funding Source: Australian Research Council
- NASA [467171, NNX13AO48G] Funding Source: Federal RePORTER
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Subsurface imaging in arid regions is a well-known application of satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). Archaeological prospection has often focused on L-band SAR sensors, given the ability of longer wavelengths to penetrate more deeply into sand. In contrast, this study demonstrates capabilities of shorter-wavelength, but higher spatial resolution, C-band and X-band SAR sensors in archaeological subsurface imaging at the site of Uqdat al-Bakrah (Safah), Oman. Despite having varying parameters and acquisitions, both the X-band and C-band images analyzed were able to identify a subsurface paleo-channel that is not visible on the ground surface. This feature was first identified through Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey, then recognized in the SAR imagery and further verified by test excavations. Both the GPR and the excavations reveal the base of the paleo-channel at a depth of 0.6 m-0.7 m. Hence, both X-band and C-band wavelengths are appropriate for subsurface archaeological prospection in suitable (dry silt and sand) conditions with specific acquisition parameters. Moreover, these results offer important new insights into the paleo-environmental context of ancient metal-working at Uqdat al-Bakrah and demonstrate surface water flow roughly contemporary with the site's occupation.
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