Stereo-Satellite Imagery for the creation of DEM and topographic maps to support site management of the UNESCO World Heritage Minaret of Jam (Afghanistan)

Abstract

Remote sensing techniques for the management of cultural heritage sites in Afghanistan have been applied successfully in recent years because the security situation at the ground does not allow activities in the field. Advanced remote sensing technologies were used to generate elevation data from high-resolution satellite stereo-imagery of the Ikonos sensor for the generation of accurate topographic maps. Additional very high-resolution imagery of the WorldView-2 sensor was used to produce orthorectified image maps that facilitate local site management. Terrestrial measurements from previous field surveys were used for image geo-referencing and validation of the DEM from the stereo-imagery. Elevation points were derived in a semi-automatic process and adjusted by stereo-inspection through a human operator. Contour lines and shaded relief maps are created in the next step to be combined with findings from previous archaeological surveys. The superposition of all available information indicates that the existing boundaries of the World Heritage property and buffer zone are to be adjusted. The resulting maps serve as a planning base for future development activities, such as the enforcement of the river embankment to protect the minaret from flooding. The analytical data also serve for future numerical studies of the flooding regime at this particular place. It is argued that all data and cartographic products are required in such complicated cases with access restrictions for intensive fieldwork and should be considered in similar cases by researchers and planners. All activities form part of the international efforts to establish a protection scheme supporting the longterm management and the preservation of the World Heritage property.