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How do aerial photographs and satellite images help archaeologists find sites?

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Svante Paabo stands smiling with one hand on a Neanderthal skeleton model in front of a blue Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology banner. — Anthropology Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology director Svante Pӓӓbo posing with a model of a Neanderthal skeleton.

Aerial photography and satellite imagery are essential tools in modern archaeology, allowing researchers to identify sites that are often invisible from the ground.12

Aerial Photography

Archaeologists use aerial photography to detect sites by observing variations in soil color or crop density, which often indicate the presence of buried structures. These features are frequently highlighted by specific lighting conditions, such as the long shadows cast during early morning or late evening. Additionally, lidar technology—which uses laser pulses from aircraft—has revolutionized the field by enabling researchers to "see" through dense vegetation, such as rainforests, to map hidden structures like those of the Maya.13

Satellite Imagery and Remote Sensing

Remote sensing from satellites, such as Landsat, provides broad-scale data that helps archaeologists identify landforms and structural features. By analyzing different spectral bands, researchers can detect subtle differences in vegetation and soil that reveal subsurface water, rock types, or buried archaeological remains. These images can be combined to create three-dimensional views or "false-colour" maps, helping to distinguish features that are not apparent to the naked eye.2