On the Methodology of Analysing Aerial and Satellite Images to Detect Archaeological Sites
Authors:   the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Hnera V. A. 
Published: October 2024

Today, the use of remote sensing methods is an integral part of archaeological research. The use of various types of aerial and satellite photography at the level of micro-regions makes it possible to collect data on large areas in a short time. The received data are subject to archaeological deciphering – the process of recognition, detection and interpretation of archaeological information based on photographic images of the Earth’s surface. In the course of deciphering pictures, photographic images of objects are analysed, which have a number of decipherable features, that is, characteristic ones by which archaeological objects can be recognised. Modern processing and recording of these data is carried out in geoinformation systems, taking into account their spatial reference. The analysis of domestic publications showed that this direction is promising for future research in Ukrainian archaeology. However, the researchers do not provide a general, clear methodology for working with aerial photography materials and features of archaeological deciphering. Summarising this information prompts the creation of a consistent description of such work. This description is intended to formalise those research operations, which in one way or another were performed by the above-mentioned authors. The paper is an attempt to create a methodology for the archaeological deciphering of aerial and satellite photos for the remote study of archaeological monuments and the protection of archaeological heritage. It is intended to summarise the previous experience of publishing the methodology of working with remote sensing of the land in the archaeology of Ukraine and to structure it on the basis of our own developments. The proposed scheme is not final or mandatory, but only offers one of the options for the approach to thematic deciphering in archaeology. Undoubtedly, the given algorithm of actions will require improvement and expansion as a result of the accumulation of practical experience and theoretical achievements. It is important to emphasise that this branch of archaeology is closely related to technical sciences and technologies in general and therefore requires thoughtful introspection and competent theorising. To obtain reliable results of deciphering in archaeology, it is necessary to always pay attention to the analysis of the research process and the multi-level process of checking its results. The reliability of the obtained data definitely depends on the clarity and awareness of the sholar’s actions, which in turn has a great impact on various fields of archaeological science, and even national security. The reliability of data depends on the “purity” of research operations, which is extremely important in the process of monitoring archaeological objects. The current state of archaeological monuments in Ukraine in the conditions of martial law, and especially on the territories of hostilities, requires urgent monitoring. With the help of modern aerial and satellite photographs, it is especially relevant and necessary today to investigate the damaged archaeological landscapes, wide application of remote sensing of land, satellite navigation systems and geo-information technologies with decoding, for the collection, processing and analysing the information in combination with the data of specific aerial visual surveys using drones and traditional methods of surveys in those areas where it is possible.