Remote Sensing in Archaeology

"Remote sensing, both aerial and near surface, promises to revolutionize archaeology and cultural resources management, if only archaeologists pay attention to its promises and accomplishments and adopt its techniques. This work should get their attention and convince them of its worth. By far the best introduction to the use of aerial imagery and geophysical techniques available for archaeologists today, it covers the full range of remote sensing from satellite imagery and aerial photographs to near-surface magnetometry, conductivity, resistivity, ground-penetrating radar, and magnetic susceptibility. Missing is light detection and ranging, or LIDAR, probably too new for inclusion. Each chapter that describes one of these techniques provides a clear overview, guidelines for its use, and situations where it might not be effective, and furnishes compelling examples of its application (with additional color illustrations of these applications on the CD-ROM included as an appendix). Other chapters describe cost-benefit calculations, the simultaneous use of several techniques, and the congruence of subsequent excavation with the images and expectations generated by various remote sensing techniques. The conclusion is inescapable: if remote sensing is adopted widely and used intelligently, it will provide the foundations for better archaeology and the means for more effective preservation of historic resources. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All archaeologists and practitioners of cultural resources management."

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“Remote sensing has come a long way in recent years, and this book brings together a great deal of useful information. Field archaeologists will find this book very helpful in understanding and evaluating the various methods in use today.” — Vincas P. Steponaitas, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill    

 

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"Remote Sensing in Archaeology, as the full title states, is an explicitly North American perspective. However, wherever you are located on Earth, do not let that dissuade you from reading this book. It is, in fact, a much needed addition to the readily accessible literature on remote sensing techniques in archaeology. . . . This book is an excellent introduction by some of the top specialists in the USA to the use of remote sensing, one that is geared to the consumer rather than the enthusiast or practitioner." — Archaeological Prospection

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