Remote Sensing of Cultural Heritage Sites

What is Cultural Heritage?

Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artefacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations. Often though, what is considered cultural heritage by one generation may be rejected by the next generation, only to be revived by a succeeding generation constitutes a fundamental part of the identity.

Cultural Heritage is considered to be:

Monuments: architectural works, works of monumental sculpture and painting, elements or structures of an archaeological nature, inscriptions, cave dwellings and combinations of features, which are of outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or science;

Groups of buildings: groups of separate or connected buildings which, because of their architecture, their homogeneity or their place in the landscape, are of outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or science;

Sites: works of man or the combined works of nature and man, and areas including archaeological sites which are of outstanding universal value from the historical, aesthetic, ethnological or anthropological point of view.

(Article 1 of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention http://whc.unesco.org/archive/convention-en.pdf)

Saving Abu Simbel temple, head of Ramses II

The idea of protecting the world cultural heritage came up when in 1954, the government of Egypt decided to build the Aswan High Dam, an event that would have flooded the valley containing the Abu Simbel temples, a treasure of ancient Egyptian civilization. In 1959, after an appeal from the governments of Egypt and Sudan, UNESCO launched an international safeguarding campaign. Archaeological research in the areas to be flooded was accelerated. Above all, the Abu Simbel and Philae temples were dismantled, moved to dry ground and reassembled.
The campaign cost about US$ 80 million, half of which was donated by some 50 countries, showing the importance of solidarity and nations' shared responsibility in conserving outstanding cultural sites.

Its success led to other safeguarding campaigns, such as saving Venice (Italy), Moenjodaro (Pakistan) and restoring Borobodur (Indonesia).

Consequently, UNESCO initiated, with the help of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the preparation of a draft convention on the protection of cultural heritage.

How can remote sensing tools be useful for the conservation and study of Cultural Heritage sites?

Check the following case studies and you will find the answer!

The Great Wall of China

Around 220 B.C., under Qin Shi Huang, sections of earlier fortifications were joined together to form a united defence system against invasions from the north. Construction continued up to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), when the Great Wall became the world's largest military structure. Its historic and strategic importance is matched only by its architectural significance.
Want to know more? Check out the Case study about the Great Wall of China

Dresden and the Elbe Valley, Germany (a former World Heritage site)

Dresden and the Elbe Valley in Germany from space

The Dresden Elbe Valley in Germany is an 18th and 19th century cultural landscape that stretches some 18 km along the Elbe River through the city of Dresden. It features low meadows and vineyards, and is crowned by the Pillnitz Palace and the centre of Dresden with its numerous monuments and parks from the 16th to 20th centuries.
Want to know more? Check out the Case study about Dresden and the Elbe Valley

Venice, Italy

Founded in the 5th century and spread over 118 small islands, Venice became a major maritime power in the 10th century. The whole city is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building contains works by some of the world's greatest artists such as Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and others.
Want to know more? Check out the Case study about Venice

Mont Saint Michel and its Bay, France

Perched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides between Normandy and Brittany stands the 'Wonder of the West', a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey and the village that grew up in the shadow of its great walls. Built between the 11th and 16th centuries, this abbey is a technical and artistic tour de force, having had to adapt to the problems posed by this unique natural site.
Want to know more? Check out the Case study about Mont Saint Michel