The Expanse of Archaeological Remains at Nalanda: A Study Using Remote Sensing and GIS

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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.

Section: Global Navigation Satellite Systemsmentioning

confidence: 98%

The Science behind Archaeological Signatures from Space

Navalgund

Rajani

2017

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“…Studies at other sites have revealed that regions of archaeological interest can extend significantly beyond protected areas 31 . Hence, this study used satellite imagery to examine the region surrounding the protected area.…”

Section: Sarnathmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Need for a National Archaeological Database

Gupta¹,

Das²,

Balan³

et al. 2017

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India's economic development is evident in its industrial growth, extensive transportation network, and rapidly expanding cities, towns and villages. While this growth has numerous positive aspects, it also has the potential to cause irrevocable damage (directly or indirectly) to rich archaeological heritage of the country. The present study makes three contributions. First, it examines several archaeological sites where economic developmental activities have caused significant damage. Second, it demonstrates how the risk of further damage can be minimized using geospatial solutions to protect and manage such sites. Third, it conceptualizes a framework for incorporating spatial and non-spatial knowledge of archaeological sites into a National Archaeological Database. We propose that this national archive should be made publicly accessible under the Digital India programme, where it can assist decision makers (development authorities, state departments, etc.) and help citizens plan for future economic growth while preserving the fragile remnants of our past.

“…Although the wider manifestation of these patterns beyond the spatially restricted study area thus remains unknown, the resulting dataset is important for assessing text-driven theories regarding modes of interaction between monastic and lay populations, and offers useful parallels to similar, although more broadly dispersed patterns documented during the SSP [1][2][3]40,41 . In recent years, other similar projects focusing on historical socio-economic, agrarian and religious landscape dynamics have proliferated, from those dealing with Buddhist contexts 6,[42][43][44][45][46] , to those more aligned with later Hindu traditions [47][48][49] .…”

Section: Survey Archaeology In the Indian Subcontinentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, restricted access to aerial photography and high-resolution maps was until recently a deterrent against intensive gridding methods 22 . Since 2006, various projects have capitalized on the availability of free satellite imagery such as Google Earth with varying aims and results [4][5][6] . In northwest India, the Rakhigarhi 53 and Ghaggar Hinterland Surveys 54 , through the use of remote sensing and GPS-based mapping enabled calibration of earlier village-to-village survey data 23,24 .…”

Section: Extensive Versus Intensive Surveymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the project was initiated in 1998, remote sensing was only introduced in 2003 as a means to aid mapping and to test a subset of imagery as a potential tool for archaeological prospection. This represented one of the earliest such attempts in South Asian archaeology, prior to the launch, in 2006, of freely available datasets such as Google Earth which has prompted several investigations of the relative pros and cons of such imagery [4][5][6] . Despite the obvious benefits of freely available satellite imagery for archaeology, and in particular low budget or public archaeology endeavours, in a region with otherwise restricted access to detailed mapping resources, the Google Earth imagery has its limitations as a primary siteprospection tool 7 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A ‘Reflexive’ Multi-Stage Survey Methodology for Historical Landscape Research in Central India:Field-Walking, Local Knowledge, and Satellite Imagery as Archaeological Site Prospection and Mapping Tools in the Sanchi Survey Project

Shaw¹

2017

The present article evaluates the relative usefulness of systematic versus unsystematic field-walking, local knowledge frameworks and satellite imagery as archaeological prospection and mapping tools for the Sanchi Survey Project (SSP) in central India. While the satellite imagery proved helpful as a supplementary site prospection and mapping tool during later phases of the project, initial site identification was more effectively facilitated through ground-based explorations, and a 'reflexive' approach that included a sensitivity to local memory and the continued currency of archaeological sites in today's socio-ritual landscape. Set within discussions of the role of local traditions in 'reflexive' field methodologies, as well as broader public archaeology discourse, the article stresses the importance of local perceptions of place and history in the development of a regionally specific research design.