Notes about Satellite Images Orthorectification of Archaeological Sites

The comparison between aerial photographs and satellite images, with regard to their performance, is strongly actual: in fact, advantages and defects of both are well known. In the past , low spatial resolution of satellite images was a limit in cartographical applications : now, the recent orbital platform are improving the data quality and, at the same time, make very large ground coverage possible. This feature, in digital orthorectification, is most interesting . it can reduce ( and, in some cases, eliminate) the need of image mosaicking, which is difficult or not possible using aerial photographs. Some experiences in our archaeological research unit ,have shown the capabilities of IKONOS images in Cartography on a large scale, related to land study on extended archaeological sites. The intent is to experience the differential rectification applied to a satellite image ( SPOT V, IKONOS, etc.) , comparing the obtained digital product with reference maps (as far as the scale 1: 2000).