Leila MOSHFEGH MONAZAH | Peyman VAKILIMORAD
(University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy)
Keywords: Satellite, underwater, Siraf, Remote Sensors
Abstract:
It is difficult to study what archaeological remains are underwater and where exactly those are because unlike on land, we don’t have a clear vantage point from which to find them. The aim of this study is to use the potential of satellite technologies to see whether it’s possible to use satellite data to find ancient nautical routes on the sea.
In addition, the satellite-based study of the Geoid may help us find old structures of the nautical routes on the sea, which in turn helps us find the location of shipwrecks and underwater sites through predictive studies.
The methodology of the study is an innovative and experimental application in archaeology. Finding these routes could help archaeologists identify shipwreck sites and submerged structures and establish maps with the locations of ancient ports and harbours. The idea of the poster is to use satellite remote sensors in order to study the underwater topography of the Persian Gulf, particularly in the port of Siraf. Although underwater archaeology in Iran and Siraf territory is in no way developed at present, many underwater sites are at risk of destruction, due to natural factors such as erosion, human action and territorial transformations.
We are therefore convinced that a satellite–based approach can be decisive to build this knowledge and trigger the protection and study of the underwater archaeological heritage.