Mapping a Subsurface Water Channel with X-Band and C-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar at the Iron Age Archaeological Site of ‘Uqdat al-Bakrah (Safah), Oman
Frances Wiig,
Michael J. Harrower,
Alexander Braun,
Smiti Nathan,
Joseph W. Lehner,
Katie M. Simon,
Jennie O. Sturm,
John Trinder,
Ioana A. Dumitru,
Scott Hensley,
Terence Clark
Affiliations
Frances Wiig
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, UNSW SYDNEY, Kingsford, NSW 2052, Australia
Michael J. Harrower
Department of Near Eastern Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Alexander Braun
Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6 Canada
Smiti Nathan
Johns Hopkins University, Sheridan Libraries and Museums, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Joseph W. Lehner
Department of Archaeology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Katie M. Simon
Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Jennie O. Sturm
Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
John Trinder
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, UNSW SYDNEY, Kingsford, NSW 2052, Australia
Ioana A. Dumitru
Department of Near Eastern Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Scott Hensley
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA
Terence Clark
Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C9 Canada
Subsurface imaging in arid regions is a well-known application of satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). Archaeological prospection has often focused on L-band SAR sensors, given the ability of longer wavelengths to penetrate more deeply into sand. In contrast, this study demonstrates capabilities of shorter-wavelength, but higher spatial resolution, C-band and X-band SAR sensors in archaeological subsurface imaging at the site of ‘Uqdat al-Bakrah (Safah), Oman. Despite having varying parameters and acquisitions, both the X-band and C-band images analyzed were able to identify a subsurface paleo-channel that is not visible on the ground surface. This feature was first identified through Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey, then recognized in the SAR imagery and further verified by test excavations. Both the GPR and the excavations reveal the base of the paleo-channel at a depth of 0.6 m–0.7 m. Hence, both X-band and C-band wavelengths are appropriate for subsurface archaeological prospection in suitable (dry silt and sand) conditions with specific acquisition parameters. Moreover, these results offer important new insights into the paleo-environmental context of ancient metal-working at ‘Uqdat al-Bakrah and demonstrate surface water flow roughly contemporary with the site’s occupation.
