Artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced imaging technologies are shaking up the world of archaeology. Thanks to these tools, you no longer need to dig around to find hidden sites: you can now explore without digging. A real boon for researchers! Places like the Quart Vide (or Rub al-Khali), this immense desert of 650 000 km² on the northern border of the Arabian Peninsula, or the endless steppes of Mongolia, are now accessible to 21st century archaeologists.
What obstacles in these desert expanses?
Deserts like the Rub Al-Khali do not make the task of classical archaeologists easy. With their vast expanses stretching over hundreds of thousands of square kilometers, they remain largely unexplored. Traditional methods of excavation are often tedious, expensive and time-consuming, leaving a pile of historic treasures beneath the sand.
But now synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a game-changer! This technological gem uses radar signals to produce high-resolution images capable of penetrating vegetation, ice or sand, revealing what lies beneath.
The revolution is underway!
Mix machine learning algorithms and SAR technology? This is the winning combo for a new archaeological era. These algorithms dissect SAR data to identify patterns and anomalies that could indicate the presence of buried human structures. By relying on already known sites, they identify these structures with astonishing precision.
Let's take it Dubai desert for example: this technology has made it possible to discover traces of human activity dating back 5 000 ans. Ancient establishments and roads were brought to light using an algorithm powered by data from the Saruq Al-Hadid site. The precision even reaches up to 50 centimetersallowing the creation of stunning 3D models.
Rediscovering old roads
This technology doesn't just identify a few lost sites; it also helps map ancient trade networks. On the Arabian Peninsula, for example, she has retraced the paths connecting various historical establishments, thus offering new insight into past exchanges.
In Mongolia too, this approach revealed thousands of potential medieval sites, shedding new light on the historic trade routes linked to the Silk Road. Amina Jambajantsan, a doctoral student in this project, diligently uses machine learning to detect these places steeped in history.
-What pitfalls and prospects for tomorrow?
Although this technology promises wonders, it is not without challenges. The high costs associated with satellites and data processing are a major obstacle. And then interpreting all this data correctly remains complex; some natural formations can bear an uncanny resemblance to human structures. Hugh Thomas reminds us that we must avoid blind trust in this technology: “There are two distinct belief systems. »
Despite all this, its potential remains enormous. As Diana Francis points out: “We needed a guide to direct our research. » In Dubai, if the structures predicted by the algorithm are confirmed during excavations planned at the Saruq Al Hadid complex starting next month, this could open up many other leads in regions like Saudi Arabia, Egyptor even the African deserts.
The use of SAR in archeology is already of interest to many experts in the field. Amy Hatton finds this technology “really exciting”. A UNESCO spokesperson sums up its potential well: “AI can greatly improve our ability to protect and understand our cultural heritage.” This alliance between tradition and innovation therefore promises much more than a simple technical advance: our entire understanding of the human past could be enriched while preserving our cultural heritage for those who come after us.
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