Polarimetric RADARSAT-2 and ALOS PALSAR multi-frequency analysis over the archaeological site of Gebel Barkal (Sudan)

• Main Author: Patruno, Jolanda
• Language: English
• Published: Université Rennes 1 2014
• Subjects: [SPI:SIGNAL] Engineering Sciences/Signal and Image processing; [SPI:SIGNAL] Sciences de l'ingénieur/Traitement du signal et de l'image; [INFO:INFO_TS] Computer Science/Signal and Image Processing; [INFO:INFO_TS] Informatique/Traitement du signal et de l'image; [SPI:TRON] Engineering Sciences/Electronics; [SPI:TRON] Sciences de l'ingénieur/Electronique; Remote Sensing; GIS; Radar polarimetry; Radar imaging; Archaeology
• Online Access: http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01061287; http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/01/06/12/87/PDF/PATRUNO_Jolanda_Vdiff.pdf

Aim of PhD research is to exploit SAR Polarimetry technique for the identification of surface and subsurface archaeological features in the site of Gebel Barkal (Sudan), inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2003. Sand penetration capability of both C-band and L-band sensors are discussed analysing archived ALOS PALSAR and RADARSAT-2 specifically acquired (2012-2013) images. Moreover, the research activity illustrates the potential of integrating SAR polarimetric and optical satellite data in a dedicated GIS project, realised in collaboration with the Universities of Turin and Venice (Italy). The monitoring of ancient sites by means of remotely acquired polarimetric SAR data represents a benefit for the archaeological research, where detected anomalies can address archaeological excavations or ground truth verification, as shown in the PhD dissertation, and where threatening factors affect the integrity of a cultural site.