# Desert Kites and Related Constructions: Data from the Globalkites Project

Olivier Barge, Emmanuelle Régagnon, Wael Abu-Azizeh, Sofiane Bouzid, Jacques Élie Brochier, Rémy Crassard

► To cite this version:

Olivier Barge, Emmanuelle Régagnon, Wael Abu-Azizeh, Sofiane Bouzid, Jacques Élie Brochier, et al. Desert Kites and Related Constructions: Data from the Globalkites Project. Journal of Open Archaeology Data, 2025, 13 (4), pp.1-8. 10.5334/joad.150. hal-04969406

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# Desert Kites and Related Constructions: Data from the *Globalkites* Project

DATA PAPER

]u[ ubiquity press

OLIVIER BARGE ID

EMMANUELLE RÉGAGNON ID

WAEL ABU-AZIZEH ID

SOFIANE BOUZID ID

JACQUES ÉLIE BROCHIER ID

RÉMY CRASSARD ID

## ABSTRACT

Desert kites are massive hunting traps found in the Near and Middle East, which have sparked significant research interest. Their numbers and geographical distribution were largely unknown until about a decade ago. This dataset provides the locations of all identified kites, along with detailed morphological information for a sample representing approximately 10% of them. It also includes data on other hunting-related structures within the same geographical region. These data were gathered through the analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery and are organized into feature classes. The dataset is available at the Zenodo repository under an open-access license. It can support a wide range of spatial analyses, including investigations into the morphological diversity of the traps, their environmental contexts, and potential connections with other archaeological data.

## CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

Olivier Barge

CNRS, Université Lyon 2,
Archéorient, UMR 5133,
Maison de l'Orient et de la
Méditerranée, commanderie
de Jalès, 07460 Berrias-et-
Casteljau, France

olivier.barge@mom.fr

## KEYWORDS:

Hunting; Mega-traps; Spatial
Analysis; Middle East; Desert
Kites

## TO CITE THIS ARTICLE:

Barge O, Régagnon E,
Abu-Azizeh W, Bouzid S,
Brochier JÉ, Crassard R 2025
Desert Kites and Related
Constructions: Data from the
Globalkites Project. Journal of
Open Archaeology Data, 13:
4, pp. 1-8. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.5334/joad.150

<footnote>*Author affiliations can be found in the back matter of this article</footnote>
(1) OVERVIEW

CONTEXT

The dataset was developed to support the objectives
of the *Globalkites Project*, which since 2011 has
explored questions surrounding the dating, function,
and geographical distribution of desert kites [1]. First
discovered in the 1920s and subsequently studied at
regional or site-specific scales [2, 3, 4, 5], these large-
scale constructions have long posed unanswered or
controversial questions. In the early 2000s, the number
of kites was estimated at a few hundred, primarily
located between Syria and northern Arabia. However,
the advent of high-resolution satellite imagery on free
online platforms such as Google Earth and Microsoft
Bing has facilitated the identification of 6,721 kites (as of
November 1, 2024), distributed across a region spanning
3,500 km (Figure 1).

Satellite imagery not only enables the identification of
kites but also allows for the observation and measurement

of their morphological characteristics (Figure 2-A to 2-H).
Using 15 descriptors, the dataset recorded these features
for a sample of 610 kites, revealing significant diversity
in their shapes and sizes [6]. The data has supported
regional comparisons [7, 8] and informed a clustering
analysis that led to the development of a typology, which
has been mapped [9, 10].

While the hunting function of desert kites has been
confirmed [11], and fieldwork has provided dates at
various locations within their geographical range [12,
13, 14, 15], other large-scale constructions distinct from
kites have also been identified (Figure 2-I to 2-P). Sharing
certain characteristics with kites, these structures could,
in some cases, be associated with them [16, 17].

Spatial coverage

Description: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt.

Geographic Coordinate System: World Geodetic System (WGS 1984). EPSG 4326.

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /><figcaption>Figure 1 Geographical extension of desert kites and related constructions.</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 2** Examples of mega-trap satellite images: desert kites (A to H), open kites (I: V shape, J: W shape, K and L: irregular shapes), V-shaped kites (M and N), crescent (O) and ring (P).</figcaption></figure>

Northern boundary: 47.468

Southern boundary: 20.426

Eastern boundary: 65.996

Western boundary: 34.203

## Temporal coverage

Dating on kites concerns only a limited number of regions where they are present. They however seem to have been used over the very long term: 7000 BCE–1800 CE.

## (2) METHODS

### STEPS

The data were collected through the photo-interpretation of high-resolution satellite imagery accessed via online platforms such as Google Earth and Microsoft Bing. Shape, size and structure parameters were used to identify the traps.

A kite is characterized by converging guiding walls (driving lines) that lead to an enclosure surrounded by pit-traps. The location of each kite was determined by placing a point at the center of the enclosure entrance. Fifteen descriptors detailing various kite elements (Figure 3) were recorded in the attribute table for the 610 kites included in the sample.

Other hunting constructions, which may or may not include kite components (Figure 4), were also geolocated, with each assigned to its own feature class.

A crescent consists of a large half-ellipse that tapers to points at both ends (Figure 2-O).

Open kites are made up of sections of walls of varying length that connect variable numbers of pit-traps; they do not delimit a closed area. A distinction can be made between:

- those with only one pit-trap, or with a single group of contiguous pit-traps at the end of two converging walls (V shape, Figure 2-I)
<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>Figure 3 Kite descriptors in the sample.</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>Figure 4 Typology of kites and constructions related to kites.</figcaption></figure>

- those made up of the juxtaposition of several of these pointed shapes outlining a W shape (Figure 2-J),

- those that combine walls and pit-traps in a complex manner without any discernible recurring shape (Figure 2-K and 2-L).

Open kites are further described by attribute fields capturing their specific morphological characteristics (Figure 5).

Rings consist of a round, elliptical or sub-triangular enclosure (Figure 2-P).

V-shaped kites are made up of two converging walls that ends on a pit-trap (Figure 2-M and 2-N).

ArcGIS 10.5 was used for data management.

## SAMPLING STRATEGY

A stratified random sampling method based on overall spatial density was used to select a sample of 610 kites (10% of kites at sample creation date). Grid sampling was used: a random sampling of 10% of the kites included in each cell was used.

## QUALITY CONTROL

The range has been repeatedly reviewed as new satellite imagery becomes available, enabling a reliable inventory to be established, although new discoveries remain possible. To ensure the accuracy of the recorded morphological variables, field visits were conducted to verify a total of 228 kites.
<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 5** Open kite descriptors.</figcaption></figure>

CONSTRAINTS

When the quality of the imagery or the condition of a randomly selected kite did not permit the recording of all 15 descriptors, the nearest neighboring kite was used as a substitute. The sample of 610 kites corresponds to the geographical area known as of 2016. However, since new kites have been discovered since then, the sample no longer fully represents the current range. Notably, the Nefud western region [18] is not represented in the sample. A new data collection phase is currently underway.

(3) DATASET DESCRIPTION

OBJECT NAME

All Data are point feature class stored in json format.

Crescents.json – Location of crescents (Ustyurt Plateau). 241 records.

<table><thead><tr><th>ATTRIBUTE TABLE FIELD NAME</th><th>VALUES DESCRIPTION</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>ID</td><td>Unique identifier</td></tr><tr><td>Orient</td><td>gives the value of the geographical orientation, from the inside to the outside (degree)</td></tr></tbody></table>

Kites.json – Kites location. 6721 records.

<table><thead><tr><th>ATTRIBUTE TABLE FIELD NAME</th><th>VALUES DESCRIPTION</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>ID</td><td>Unique identifier for each kite; Two capital letters indicate the country in which the kite is located (AB = Saudi Arabia, AM = Armenia, IK = Iraq, JD = Jordan, KZ = Kazakhstan, LI = Lebanon, SY = Syria, TK = Turkey, UZ = Uzbekistan)</td></tr><tr><td>Sample610</td><td>Indicates whether the kite belongs to the sample (0; 1)</td></tr><tr><td>FieldW</td><td>Nature of any field operations carried out (none, visit, mapping, excavation) by the Globalkites Project</td></tr></tbody></table>

OpenKites.json – Location of Open kites. 862 records. The fields describe the morphological characteristics of each Open kite (see Figure 5, and [16]).

<table><thead><tr><th>ATTRIBUTE TABLE FIELD NAME</th><th>VALUES DESCRIPTION</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>ID</td><td>Unique identifier</td></tr><tr><td>Type</td><td>Indicates which type the open kite belongs to (V = V-shape; W = W shape; C = irregular shape)</td></tr><tr><td>PitTraps</td><td>Number of pit-traps</td></tr><tr><td>Contig</td><td>Indicates whether or not there are contiguous pit traps (0; 1)</td></tr><tr><td>Length</td><td>gives the value of the total length of the walls that make up the open kite (m)</td></tr><tr><td>Orient</td><td>gives the value of the geographical orientation from the inside to the outside (degree)</td></tr><tr><td>SlopeOr</td><td>gives the value of slope orientation (degree)</td></tr></tbody></table>

Rings.json – Location of rings (Ustyurt Plateau). The “ID” field gives a unique identifier for each ring. 62 records.

Sample610.json – Location of kites belonging to the sample of 610 kites. The fields describe the morphological characteristics of each kite (see Figure 3, and [9; 10]).

<table><thead><tr><th>ATTRIBUTE TABLE FIELD NAME</th><th>VALUES DESCRIPTION</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>ID</td><td>Unique identifier for each kite; Two capital letters indicate the country in which the kite is located (AB = Saudi Arabia, AM = Armenia, IK = Iraq, JD = Jordan, KZ = Kazakhstan, LI = Lebanon, SY = Syria, TK = Turkey, UZ = Uzbekistan)</td></tr><tr><td>Elev</td><td>Elevation (m) at the location of the point identifying the kite (see Figure 3)</td></tr><tr><td>ANb</td><td>Number of antennae</td></tr><tr><td>AML</td><td>Mean length of antennae (m)</td></tr><tr><td>ES</td><td>Enclosure surface (ha)</td></tr><tr><td>ESb</td><td>Number of enclosure subdivisions</td></tr></tbody></table>

(Contd.)
<table><thead><tr><td>ATTRIBUTE TABLE FIELD NAME</td><td>VALUES DESCRIPTION</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>ESbP</td><td>Number of enclosure subdivisions in proximal position</td></tr><tr><td>EPI</td><td>Number of proximal indentations; External outgrowth of the enclosure on either side of the entrance ending in one or more cells</td></tr><tr><td>EtW</td><td>Entrance width (m)</td></tr><tr><td>EtF</td><td>Number of funnel entrances; presence of 2 symmetrical walls delimiting the entrance and having a convergent shape towards the interior</td></tr><tr><td>EtFA</td><td>Number of funnel entrances made by antennae; extension of the antenna inside the enclosure forming a funnel</td></tr><tr><td>CS</td><td>Number of straight cells</td></tr><tr><td>CA</td><td>Number of angle cells</td></tr><tr><td>CP</td><td>Number of pointed cells</td></tr><tr><td>CIP</td><td>Number of incipient pointed cells</td></tr><tr><td>CC</td><td>Number of contiguous cells</td></tr></tbody></table>

The sum of CS, CA, CP and CIP is equal to total number of cells. Before the hunting function of kites was attested, neutral denominations had been chosen for pit-traps (cells) and driving lines (antennae). These words have been retained in the present study because they were used in several previous articles.

**Vshaped.json** – Location of V-shaped kites. The “ID” field gives a unique identifier for each V-shaped kite. 64 records.

## DATA TYPE

The data are all primary data except for those concerning desert kites for which some data were published before the free and systematic access to satellite images ([2]; [3]; [4]; [5]; [18]; [19]; [20]; [21]).

## FORMAT NAMES AND VERSIONS

Json

## CREATION DATES

Between 2011 and 2024. Before 2016 for the Sample of kites.

## DATASET CREATORS

Olivier Barge and Emmanuelle Régagnon discovered most of the kites, designed the database, and analyzed it. Jacques Élie Brochier helped with the design of the database and its use. Sofiane Bouzid performed a statistical analysis of the data. Rémy Crassard and Wael Abu-Azizeh expertized the data. Manfred Boelke (Independent researcher, Düsseldorf), Marie-Laure Chambrade (CNRS, Université Lyon 2, Archéorient, UMR 5133, Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée, 7 rue Raulin, 69007 Lyon, France); Jean-Marc Deom and Renato

Sala (Laboratory of Geoarchaeology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Faculty of History, Archeology and Ethnology, 71 av. al-Farabi, 050060 Almaty, Kazakhstan) helped identify the kites.

## LANGUAGE

English

## LICENSE

CC-BY 4.0, Creative Common License.

## REPOSITORY LOCATION

The data is deposited at the Zenodo repository under DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14844953

## PUBLICATION DATE

10/12/2024

## (4) REUSE POTENTIAL

The dataset currently represents the most comprehensive inventory of known desert kites and related constructions. It serves as a valuable reference for future research and provides insights into the nature of fieldwork conducted by the *Globalkites* research team. Clustering and morphological characterizations can be performed using the sample, whether extended or not, as these exploratory analyses are likely to yield complementary results.

Data on open kites [16], which include both alphanumeric and spatial information, is particularly well-suited for such analyses. Additionally, each of the other feature classes can be used as a basis for analyzing environmental contexts and cross-referenced with data on animals potentially hunted using these structures.

The dataset also facilitates comparisons with other archaeological data. Since all constructions are georeferenced, the dataset holds significant potential for future spatial analyses. It can also be integrated with data from other regions to contribute to a broader understanding of large-scale traps worldwide [22].

## ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors extend their gratitude to the researchers who initially guided them in the field of desert-kite research, with special thanks to Christine Chataigner. They also wish to thank all the individuals and institutions that contributed to the successful organization of fieldworks.

## FUNDING INFORMATION

The *Globalkites* project was funded by the French National Research Agency (No. ANR-12-JSH3-0004-01).
COMPETING INTERESTS

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS

Olivier Barge [ID] orcid.org/0000-0002-8391-0338

CNRS, Université Lyon 2, Archéorient, UMR 5133, Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée, commanderie de Jalès, 07460 Berrias-et-Casteljau, France

Emmanuelle Régagnon [ID] orcid.org/0000-0003-1072-534X

CNRS, Université Lyon 2, Archéorient, UMR 5133, Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée, commanderie de Jalès, 07460 Berrias-et-Casteljau, France

Wael Abu-Azizeh [ID] orcid.org/0000-0003-1347-8700

CNRS, Université Lyon 2, Archéorient, UMR 5133, Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée, 7 rue Raulin, 69007 Lyon, France

Sofiane Bouzid [ID] orcid.org/0000-0002-0990-8897

CNRS, Université Lyon 2, Archéorient, UMR 5133, Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée, 7 rue Raulin, 69007 Lyon, France

Jacques Élie Brochier [ID] orcid.org/0000-0003-1634-0416

Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), CNRS, UMR 7269 LAMPEA, Maison Méditerranéenne des Sciences de l'Homme, 5 rue du Château de l'Horloge, BP 647, 13094 Aix-en-Provence, France

Rémy Crassard [ID] orcid.org/0000-0002-2403-1894

CNRS, Université Lyon 2, Archéorient, UMR 5133, Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée, 7 rue Raulin, 69007 Lyon, France

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**TO CITE THIS ARTICLE:**

Barge O, Régagnon E, Abu-Azizeh W, Bouzid S, Brochier JÉ, Crassard R 2025 Desert Kites and Related Constructions: Data from the *Globalkites* Project. *Journal of Open Archaeology Data*, 13: 4, pp. 1–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/joad.150

Submitted: 18 December 2024

Accepted: 17 February 2025

Published: 27 February 2025

**COPYRIGHT:**

© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

*Journal of Open Archaeology Data* is a peer-reviewed open access journal published by Ubiquity Press.