Prospection of karstic caves using GIS and remote-sensing techniques for Geoarchaeological research, NE-Morocco

Abstract

Caves and rock shelters are important archives for archaeological research. Prehistoric men not only sheltered in caves but also set up camps in open-air locations. Over the last 15 years a joint research group, comprising INSAP (Institut National des Sciences de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine du Maroc), KAAK (Kommission für Archäologie Außereuropäischer Kulturen, German Archaeology Institute) and the University of Cologne, has been carrying out surveys and excavations in the area of the Eastern Rif (NE-Morocco). Huge parts of the vast working area are poorly accessible and it is now realised that the whole area can only be covered using a remote sensing approach.The aim of this project is to integrate high resolution topographical, visual and geological data in order to develop models so that site locations can be predicted. Information from remote sensing (satellite image) and Geographic Information System (GIS) is used to identify an area in which carstic caves can occur and caves featuring archaeological remains may be located. The intersection of geological and topographical maps with QuickBird satellite imagery can then be used to quantify different features of identified caves. Based on the partially existing fans of sediment in front of the carstic caves, potential locations of caves in the defined area could be discovered.

• LRQ5

Resources

• Roeloffs2011Karstic_Caves_Morocco.pdf

Bibliography

Roeloffs, A., Linstädter, J., Wiatr, T., Reicherter, K., Weniger, G. (2011): Prospection of karstic caves using GIS and remote-sensing techniques for Geoarchaeological research, NE-Morocco. – In: Kölner Geographische Arbeiten, Vol. 92, p: 121-130