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Using of Satellite Remote

Sensing in Cultural Heritage

Management.

Islam K. Elbestawi

Assistant Lecturer- Faculty of

Tourism& Hotels- SCU

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Non-invasive

techniques.

NASA- Space

Archaeology Program

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Space Archaeology

What is Remote sensing ?

Remote sensing (RS), also called earth observation, refers to obtaining

information about objects or areas at the Earth’s surface without being in

direct contact with the object or area. Humans accomplish this task with

aid of eyes or by the sense of smell or hearing; so, remote sensing is day-

today business for people. Reading the newspaper, watching cars driving in

front of you are all remote sensing activities.

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Applications of

SRS in Cultural

Heritage.

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Discovery of Archaeological Sites

Dr. Parcak’s techniques have helped locate:

17 potential pyramids,

3,100 potential forgotten settlements and

1,000 potential lost tombs in Egypt

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Protecting from Looting

Smuggling of antiquities abroad.

Looters damage and destroy

archaeological heritage.

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Sarah Parcak

Space Archaeologist.

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North Lisht. 6a is from 2010 (no looting) and the

6b is from 2014 (150+ looting pits, here seen as

darker areas). Imagery courtesy Google Earth.

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Global Xplorer°

GlobalXplorer° is an online platform that uses the

power of the crowd to analyze the incredible wealth of

satellite images currently available to archaeologists.

Launched by 2016 TED Prize winner and National

Geographic Fellow, Dr. Sarah Parcak.

GlobalXplorer° aims to bring the wonder of

archaeological discovery to all, and to help us better

understand our connection to the past.

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New Global Alarm

System to protect

our heritage.

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Gebel Kamil (meteorite) Carter “

PA

Gebel Kamil is a meteorite that struck Egypt about

5000 years ago leaving a crater surrounded by

thousands of pieces of iron.

It was located in 2008 using Google Earth satellite

imagery by Vincenzo de Michele (former curator of

Milan Natural History Museum in Italy)

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