A malarial-ridden swamp: using Google Earth Pro and Corona to access the southern Balikh valley, Syria

This manuscript explores the benefit of satellite survey for archaeological landscapes where traditional cartographic and digital datasets are scarce, and ground reconnaissance is not possible due to modern vegetation overburden and/or geo-politics. The methods presented demonstrate a cost effective and integrative protocol for remote survey in an alluvial landscape. Using satellite survey methods merging data from different time periods, seasons and sensors, it was possible to recognize archaeological sites, reconstruct floodplain evolution, and present a provisional picture of the settlement landscape in the unsurveyed southern Balikh valley, Syria. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.