**1. Introduction**

Archaeology is defined as the systematic approach for uncovering the human past and its environment. Archaeology involves not only systematic excavations and surveys, but also analysis of the data collected in the field. In a broader term, archaeology is an interdiscipli‐ nary research. Modern studies in archaeology engage a series of other sciences such as geol‐ ogy, information systems, chemistry, statistics, etc. In recent years, remote sensing has received considerable attention since it can assist archaeological research, along with other sciences, in order to extract valuable information to the researchers based only on non-de‐ structive and non-contact techniques.

Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon without making any physical contact with the object (Levin, 1999; Parcak, 2009). According to Sabins (1997), remote sensing involves all the methods that allow the use of electromagnetic radia‐ tion in order to identify and detect various phenomena. Based on this definition, many tech‐ niques such as satellite remote sensing, aerial photography, geophysical surveys, ground spectroscopy or even terrestrial laser scanners, are considered as remote sensing techniques (Johnson, 2006).

Remote sensing has opened up new horizons and possibilities for archaeology. For exam‐ ple, oblique or vertical aerial photography can detect phenomena on the surface associat‐ ed with subsurface relics, while the use of infrared and thermal electromagnetic radiation can be used in order to detect underground archaeological remains (Bewley et al., 1999; McCauley et al., 1982). Moreover, remote sensing as a non-destructive technique can con‐

© 2013 Hadjimitsis et al.; licensee InTech. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2013 Hadjimitsis et al.; licensee InTech. This is a paper distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

tribute to the investigation of an archaeological site before, during and after excavation periods. At the micro-level scale, geophysical surveys and ground spectroscopy can pro‐ vide information about subsurface relics, while at the macro-scale, aerial photographs and satellite remote sensing can identify traces of the human past. Concurrently, these techniques can monitor the surroundings of a cultural heritage site and record any changes due urban expansion and/or changes of land use (Rowlands & Sarris, 2007; Ma‐ sini & Lasaponara, 2007; Hadjimitsis et al., 2009; Ventera et al., 2006; Negria & Leucci, 2006; Cavalli et al., 2007; Altaweel 2005; Aqdus et al., 2008; Bassani et al., 2009).

archaeological purposes and concluded that such images can be used as an alternative way in many European archaeological sites, where traditional aerial photography is very limited. Grosse et al., (2005) used CORONA images for mapping geomorphological features in NE Siberia. The combination of ASTER and CORONA images in northern Mesopotamia was al‐

Remote Sensing for Archaeological Applications: Management, Documentation and Monitoring

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/39306

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KVR-100 images from the Russian space program have been available since 1987 and have a high spatial resolution of 2-3 m. Such data are valuable in areas where the landscape has changed dramatically as a result of human activity, such as urban expansion. Even though KVR-100 has been used by several researchers (Fowler and Curtis, 1995; Comfort, 1997), their application is still limited due to their high cost (Parcak, 2009). CORONA and KVR im‐

Since the 1970s, the launch of new satellite systems coincided with the technological progress of the sensors. In 1972, the Landsat space program was initiated and was fol‐ lowed by the launch of other satellites, including the SPOT satellite in France (Parcak, 2009; Sarris, 2008). The Landsat sensor has been in continuous orbit since 1972 and pro‐ vides multispectral data for archaeological research. Despite the medium spatial resolu‐ tion (from 15-80m) Landsat images have a relatively low cost while covering a large area (180 x 180 km) in both the visible - infrared and thermal wavelengths. Landsat images were used to study archaeolandscapes in many archaeological projects and surveys. Vaughn and Crawford (2009) used predictive models in order to identify new areas with potential settlements of Mayans. Barlindhaug et al., (2007) found that Landsat satellite images can be used for monitoring purposes of archaeological sites. Neolithic settlements in Greece were detected using archive Landsat images (Alexakis, 2009; Agapiou et al., 2012a; 2012b). Landsat images were also used for monitoring purposes of the surround‐

During the 1980's, thermal and radar sensors were also added to satellite sensors (Bewley et al., 1999). In the late 1980's, India launched the IRS 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and IRS P2 sensors (Tripa‐ thi 2005a). Although these data have been used for archaeological purposes in India, such as the identification of the mythic site *Dvaraka* (Tripathi 2005b) and the observation of *Hampi*

From the 1990's, remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have been used systematically for archaeological research and newer satellites with higher spatial reso‐ lution are now available. Indeed, Quickbird, IKONOS, WorldView and GeoEye are capable

In addition to the above, hyperspectral images, such as those from EO-HYPERION, have re‐ cently made their appearance. Hyperspectral remote sensing analysis is performed over hundreds of narrow bands. The key characteristics of hyperspectral images are its fine spec‐ tral and radiometric resolution. Hyperspectral data provides a variety of spectral informa‐ tion, which can be used for the identification of archaeological remains. Alexakis et al., (2009) stated that these new technologies can support the detection of archaeological sites,

ages have been also used to monitor cultural heritage sites in Iran (Kostka, 2002).

ings of monuments in Cyprus (Hadjimitsis et al., 2009; 2008).

site (Raj et al., 2005), their use is very limited in other regions.

of providing satellite images with spatial resolution up to 0.5 m.

so studied by Altaweel (2005).

Satellite remote sensing has become a common tool of investigation, prediction and forecast of environmental change and scenarios through the development of GIS-based models and decision-support instruments that have further enhanced and considerably supported deci‐ sion-making (Ayad, 2005; Douglas, 2005; Hadjimitsis et al., 2006; Cavalli et al., 2007). By blending together satellite remote sensing techniques with GIS, the monitoring process of archaeological sites can be efficiently supported in a reliable, repetitive, non-invasive, rapid and cost-effective way (Hadjimitsis and Themistocleous, 2008).

This chapter presents a brief overview of the evolution of remote sensing in archaeologi‐ cal research. Several applications of applied remote sensing techniques, including satellite remote sensing, GIS, laser scanning, atmospheric pollution, spectroscopy, webGIS and ge‐ ophysical prospection will also be examined through different case studies in Cyprus and Greece.
