Potential of satellite based sensors for studying distribution of archaeological sites along palaeo channels: Harappan sites a case study

Rajani, Mandyam B; Rajawat, A. S.

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2010.08.008

Cited by 44 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…There have been many previous attempts to detect the palaeo-rivers in northwest India using satellite imagery (e.g., [22,[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]). However, previous RS research has not typically incorporated the whole of the Sutlej-Yamuna interfluve and in the cases where comprehensive RS has been carried out, studies have usually employed single data sources (e.g., Landsat 5-7 multispectral satellite imagery) or several images acquired during the same period, mosaicked over the specific area of interest of each study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large-Scale, Multi-Temporal Remote Sensing of Palaeo-River Networks: A Case Study from Northwest India and its Implications for the Indus Civilisation

Orengo

Petrie

2017

Remote Sensing

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Abstract:Remote sensing has considerable potential to contribute to the identification and reconstruction of lost hydrological systems and networks. Remote sensing-based reconstructions of palaeo-river networks have commonly employed single or limited time-span imagery, which limits their capacity to identify features in complex and varied landscape contexts. This paper presents a seasonal multi-temporal approach to the detection of palaeo-rivers over large areas based on long-term vegetation dynamics and spectral decomposition techniques. Twenty-eight years of Landsat 5 data, a total of 1711 multi-spectral images, have been bulk processed using Google Earth Engine © Code Editor and cloud computing infrastructure. The use of multi-temporal data has allowed us to overcome seasonal cultivation patterns and long-term visibility issues related to recent crop selection, extensive irrigation and land-use patterns. The application of this approach on the Sutlej-Yamuna interfluve (northwest India), a core area for the Bronze Age Indus Civilisation, has enabled the reconstruction of an unsuspectedly complex palaeo-river network comprising more than 8000 km of palaeo-channels. It has also enabled the definition of the morphology of these relict courses, which provides insights into the environmental conditions in which they operated. These new data will contribute to a better understanding of the settlement distribution and environmental settings in which this, often considered riverine, civilisation operated.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large-Scale, Multi-Temporal Remote Sensing of Palaeo-River Networks: A Case Study from Northwest India and its Implications for the Indus Civilisation

Orengo

Petrie

2017

Remote Sensing

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show abstract

“…22,[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. However, previous RS research has not typically incorporated the whole of the Sutlej-Yamuna interfluve and in the cases where comprehensive RS has been carried out, studies have usually employed single data sources (e.g.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6). Later Rajani and Rajawat [37] identified its terminal sector as the Vedic Drishadvati. Recently, Mehdi et al [39] again identified this palaeochannel and reliably traced its course and those of several tributaries covering a total length of approximately 416 km.…”

Section: Spectral Decomposition Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large-scale, Multi-temporal Remote Sensing of Palaeo-river Networks: A Case Study from Northwest India and its Implications for the Indus Civilisation

Orengo¹,

Petrie²

2017

Preprint

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Abstract:Remote sensing has considerable potential to contribute to the identification and reconstruction of lost hydrological systems and networks. Remote sensing-based reconstructions of palaeo-river networks have commonly employed single or limited time-span imagery, which limits their capacity to identify features in complex and varied landscape contexts. This paper presents a seasonal multi-temporal approach to the detection of palaeo-rivers over large areas based on longterm vegetation dynamics and spectral decomposition techniques. The use of multi-temporal data has allowed the overcoming of seasonal cultivation patterns and long-term visibility issues related to crop selection, large-scale irrigation and land use patterns. The application of this approach on the Sutlej-Yamuna interfluve (northwest India), a core area for the Bronze Age Indus Civilisation, has enabled the reconstruction of an unsuspectedly complex palaeo-river network comprising more than 8000 kms of palaeo-channels. It has also enabled the definition of the morphology of these relict courses, which provides insights into the environmental conditions in which they operated. These new data will contribute to a better understanding of the settlement distribution and environmental settings in which this, often considered riverine, civilisation operated.

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“…In the context of the Harappan Civilization, Rajani and Rajawat 28 have clearly shown that satellite data in both VNIR and microwave bands not only help in identifying palaeochannels, but also in understanding their relationship with settlements. The study showed a large spread of Mature Harappan sites (2200-1700 BC) along the palaeochannel of the Saraswati and its tributaries in northwest India.…”

Section: Indirect Signaturesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Science behind Archaeological Signatures from Space

Navalgund

Rajani

2017

Current Science

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Archaeology has traditionally focused on studying historic or prehistoric people and their cultures by analysis of their artefacts, inscriptions, monuments and other such material remains, especially those that have been documented from excavations. This focus is somewhat narrow, because it excludes many new methods that have emerged in the last few decades (described in detail by Prabhakar and Korisettar in this special section (page 1873)). One such novel method is to study large imprints on the landscape caused by human activity. These tell-tale features include soil marks, crop marks, drainage patterns, field boundaries and a host of man-made structures, whose study can provide additional cultural insights. In some cases, these features are difficult to detect by the naked eye at ground level, but are detectable by remote sensing techniques from aerial/space-based platforms in a non-destructive manner. For these reasons, it is now well recognized that examining archaeological landscapes using remote sensing can complement traditional investigations. An analysis of remote sensing data can play an important role in (1) understanding spatial relationships between cultural materials and activities, (2) formulating archaeological sampling schemes, (3) measuring distances and spatial distributions of structures and monuments, and (4) evolving schemes for their conservation.

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Potential of satellite based sensors for studying distribution of archaeological sites along palaeo channels: Harappan sites a case study

Cited by 44 publications

References 3 publications

Large-Scale, Multi-Temporal Remote Sensing of Palaeo-River Networks: A Case Study from Northwest India and its Implications for the Indus Civilisation

Large-Scale, Multi-Temporal Remote Sensing of Palaeo-River Networks: A Case Study from Northwest India and its Implications for the Indus Civilisation

Large-scale, Multi-temporal Remote Sensing of Palaeo-river Networks: A Case Study from Northwest India and its Implications for the Indus Civilisation

The Science behind Archaeological Signatures from Space

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