Innovative techniques illuminate ancient history on Arabian Peninsula

A groundbreaking collaboration between Khalifa University and Dubai Culture is uncovering secrets buried beneath the sand in the vast expanse of the Rub al-Khali desert, known as "The Empty Quarter".

Beneath the sands at the northern edge of the Rub al-Khali lie hidden secrets. This vast desert, known as "The Empty Quarter," spans 250,000 square miles (650,000 square kilometers) on the Arabian Peninsula and appears barren to the naked eye, dominated by endless ochre dunes. However, artificial intelligence sees beyond this emptiness, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Researchers at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi have developed an innovative approach to uncover potential archaeological sites in these expansive arid landscapes. Traditionally, archaeologists rely on ground surveys, a method that can be labor-intensive and challenging in harsh environments like deserts. Recently, remote sensing with optical satellite imagery, such as that from Google Earth, has gained popularity for scanning large areas for anomalies.

Unfortunately, in desert regions, sand and dust storms often obscure visibility, while shifting dune patterns complicate the identification of potential sites. "We needed a tool to guide and enhance our research," explains Diana Francis, an atmospheric scientist and one of the project's lead researchers. The team created a machine learning algorithm capable of analyzing images obtained through synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a satellite imaging technique that employs radio waves to reveal objects concealed beneath surfaces like sand, vegetation, and soil.

While SAR imagery and machine learning are not new technologies, their combined use in archaeology is a novel approach, according to Francis. She trained the algorithm using data from Saruq Al-Hadid, an archaeological site near Dubai that showcases 5,000 years of human activity. "Once trained, the algorithm identified other nearby areas that have yet to be excavated," Francis notes. 

The technology boasts a precision of within 50 centimeters and can generate 3D models of anticipated structures, providing archaeologists with valuable insights into what lies beneath the surface. In partnership with Dubai Culture, the organization responsible for managing the site, Francis and her team conducted a ground survey using ground-penetrating radar to replicate the measurements taken by the satellite. Following this, Dubai Culture plans to excavate the newly identified areas, and Francis is optimistic that this technique will reveal even more hidden archaeological treasures in the future. While the use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery in archaeology is uncommon due to its expense and complexity, it is seen as a groundbreaking development. 

By Naila Huseynova