How satellites could protect archaeology sites vulnerable to climate change

An inset image of a coastal city with labels showing the western harbor, pharos island and eastern harbor of alexandria. in background is a satellite image of the nile desert showing sand and water.

Archaeologists should consider tapping into satellite imagery when assessing the impacts climate change can have on ancient underground structures, a new study argues.

Satellite studies would be one tool to help monitor and stabilize "underground heritage sites" on Earth that are becoming more vulnerable to human-induced climate change, flash floods, urbanization and other threats, the Aug. 12 study in Heritage Science states.