| Explanation
Imaging Radar allows scientists to do aerial mapping of areas that were difficult to map previously, due to heavy forests or dense cloud coverage. Imaging radar uses multispectral radar frequencies sent from something such as a space shuttle or satellite. The radar illuminates Earth with microwaves allowing detailed observations at any time, regardless of weather or sunlight conditions. Imaging radar can also penetrate thin layers of sand, allowing things to be viewed that can not normally be seen with the naked eye. Uses in Archaeology The ability to see through thin layers of sand, up to 2 meters, has been important to archaeology. It allows archaeologists to know the location of sites in desert areas before they start excavating. The Lost City of Ubar is an example of a site that was found through imaging radar. Using imaging radar, an additional section of the Great Wall of China was also found buried under dirt and sand. As Imaging radar can also penetrate through heavy vegetation, such as tropical forests, it is also helpful in finding sites such as Angkor in Cambodia. Imaging radar from the Sahara desert showed that the area was once covered with lakes and rivers, and had an environment similar to that of Europe's. This has led to excavations along the river beds which yielded numerous paleolithic artifacts and tools. Links NASA/JPL Imaging Radar Home Page Resources http://web-cr05.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ubar/tools/ |
 NASA SIR-C image of the Lost City of Ubar in the Saharra desert
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