Thermography

Abstract

Aerial thermography is one of the least utilized archaeological survey and prospection methods, yet it has great potential for detecting anthropogenic anomalies. Thermal infrared radiation is absorbed and reemitted at varying rates by all objects on and within the ground, depending upon their density, composition, and moisture content. If an archaeological site is recorded by a thermal camera during a period of temperature fluctuation, the locations of archaeological features may be identified and mapped based solely upon the thermal anomalies they create.