Abstract
In recent years, very high-resolution satellite remote-sensing tools have been progressively used in archaeological prospecting to acquire information and improve documentation. Satellite remote sensing has also benefited from technical improvements, including better spectral and spatial resolution of sensors, which have facilitated the detection and discovery of unknown archaeological areas. This paper focuses on investigations conducted using multi-spectral satellite remote-sensing data of the ancient canal systems of the Wadi el Melah Valley (WMV) in southern Tunisia. The area used to be part of a huge military defense system along the desert border. This paper describes the use of GeoEye-1 and Ziyuan-3 satellite remote-sensing data to reveal ancient Roman canals, which were part of an advanced hydraulic system devised to capture runoff water and cope with the lack of water in the area. In general, this research provides new information on some essential sections of the Roman walled defense system Limes (Fossatum) in the southern part of the empire, where we study previously undetected sites.
Highlights
In the most recent decade, Earth observation and measurement technologies, basically dependent on remote sensing (RS), Geographical Information System (GIS), and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), have become significant data sources for archaeological explorations
This study aims to open new directions for the study of Roman landscapes in southTeornsuTmunuispia,tahitsopstiucdoyf garimeast itnoteorpeesnt fonrewsevdeirraecl trieoanssonfosr, athmeonstgudwyhiocfhRisomthaenrolalendosfccalpimesatiinc saonudtheenrvnirTounnmiseina,taaltochpaicnogfesgrienatthinetdereecsltinfoerosfevanercaiel nretaRsoonmsa, namciovnilgizwathiiocnh. isItthaelsroolceaonfbcelimusaetdic aasnda erenfveirreonncme teonotaplecnhuapngthese ipnrothspeedcetcolfineexcoiftianngcsiecinetnRtiofimc aanndcaivrcilhizaaetoiloong.iIctaal lcshoacllaenngbeesuthseadt iamspaorseefeardenhcoec taopporpoeanchueps btyheuspinrogsvpeercyt hoifghe-xrceistoinlugtisocnie(nVtHifiRc)arnemd oatrec-hseaneosilnoggiicmalagcehrayllaenndgeasuttohmatatimic pcloassesifiadcathioonc aopf parrcohaacehoelsogbicyal suisteins.g very high-resolution (VHR) remote-sensing imagery and automatic classification of archaeological sites
The Wadi el Melah Valley (WMV) is located in the southwest of the Gafsa region, somewhere in the rangeThofe3W4◦M05V5i2s”loacnadte3d5◦i0n6th19e”sonuotrhthwaensdt o8f◦t3h0e0G6”afasnadre9g◦i3o0n2(6s”oueathster(FnigTuurneis1iBa,)C, s).oImt ieswcrheearteedinbtyhea rcahnagine of 3h4ig°0h5p′5l2a”inasn, de3l5im°0i6t′e1d9”bynomrtohuanntdain8°s3, 0a′n0d6”parnodgr9e°s3s0iv′2e6l”y edaesstc(eFnidgus rteow1Ba,rCd)s
Summary
In the most recent decade, Earth observation and measurement technologies, basically dependent on remote sensing (RS), Geographical Information System (GIS), and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), have become significant data sources for archaeological explorations. Recent improvements in Earth observation techniques (including both active and passive sensors) offer advanced technical characteristics that can lead new applications and open new perspectives that were inconceivable only a few years ago [1,2,3,4,5]. In this way, landscape archaeology, especially, can benefit from the use of satellite images because such data can place local field studies within a regional context, can be promptly updated for large areas, and be directly imported into a GIS environment. Satellite remote-sensing imagery can give important data that can be used to (i) study the role and the relation of landscape archaeology to ancient settlement patterns, irrigation systems, and roads [2], and (ii) improve knowledge of past human activities [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
