Universität zu Köln

Al Kassem, Amal ORCID: 0009-0006-8394-004X, Hopper, Kristen ORCID: 0000-0002-3656-4305, Ibraheem, Ismael M. ORCID: 0000-0001-6228-246X, Maier, Andreas ORCID: 0000-0002-5021-3341, Nassrallah, Mohammad Khair and Richter, Jürgen ORCID: 0000-0003-2793-7867 (2025). Archaeological Damage Assessment in Conflict Zones: Integrating Satellite Imagery and Ground Surveys in Daraa, Syria. Archaeological Prospection. pp. 1-26. Wiley. ISSN 1075-2196

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Abstract

Satellite remote sensing is among the most significant modern methodologies supporting field archaeology. In addition to its efficiency in identifying archaeological sites, remote sensing offers a safe and cost‐effective approach in conflict zones. However, supplementing it with field investigations enhances accuracy by confirming or correcting results. For Daraa, southern Syria, freely available high‐resolution satellite imagery has been used effectively in documenting 196 archaeological sites. However, during ground‐truthing of 28 sites, significant discrepancies were observed, reinforcing the notion that remote sensing and fieldwork are complementary methods, giving best results when used jointly. This integration enables precise damage assessment and helps prioritize sites for urgent protection or excavation. Our field visits identified several sites requiring urgent excavation, particularly where looting pits have exposed stratigraphy—evidence that remote sensing alone cannot verify. Finally, engaging local communities and understanding both environmental and social conditions are essential for maximizing the effectiveness of integrating remote sensing with field investigations.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Al Kassem, Amal UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8394-004X UNSPECIFIED Hopper, Kristen UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3656-4305 UNSPECIFIED Ibraheem, Ismael M. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6228-246X UNSPECIFIED Maier, Andreas UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5021-3341 UNSPECIFIED Nassrallah, Mohammad Khair UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Richter, Jürgen UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2793-7867 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-802280
Identification Number:	10.1002/arp.70026
Journal or Publication Title:	Archaeological Prospection
Page Range:	pp. 1-26
Number of Pages:	26
Date:	18 December 2025
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1075-2196
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Divisions:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Department of Geosciences > Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Fächergruppe 2: Archäologie, Altertumskunde und Kulturen des Mittelmeerraums > Institut für Ur- und Frühgeschichte
Subjects:	Earth sciences History of ancient world
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language archaeology ; conflict zone ; damage estimation ; Daraa ; ground survey ; local communities ; satellite imagery ; Syria English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/80228