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Mapping the Roman Water Supply System of the Wadi el Melah Valley in Gafsa, Tunisia, Using Remote Sensing

Author

Listed:
  • Nabil Bachagha

    (Key Laboratory of Digital Earth Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100094, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Lei Luo

    (Key Laboratory of Digital Earth Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100094, China
    International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage under the Auspices of UNESCO, Beijing 100094, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xinyuan Wang

    (Key Laboratory of Digital Earth Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100094, China
    International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage under the Auspices of UNESCO, Beijing 100094, China)

  • Nicola Masini

    (Key Laboratory of Digital Earth Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100094, China
    Institute of Archeological Heritage—Monuments and Sites (IBAM), CNR, C.da Santa Loja, 85050 Tito Scalo (PZ), Italy)

  • Tababi Moussa

    (Faculty of Letters and Humanities of Sousse, University of Sousse, FLSHS-LR 13ES11 Sousse, Tunisia)

  • Houcine Khatteli

    (Institut des Regions Arides (IRA)-Medenine, Medenine 4119, Tunisia)

  • Rosa Lasaponara

    (Key Laboratory of Digital Earth Science, Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100094, China
    Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis (IMAA), C.da Santa Loja, 85050 Tito Scalo (PZ), Italy)

Abstract

In recent years, very high-resolution satellite remote-sensing tools have been progressively used in archaeological prospecting to acquire information and improve documentation. Satellite remote sensing has also benefited from technical improvements, including better spectral and spatial resolution of sensors, which have facilitated the detection and discovery of unknown archaeological areas. This paper focuses on investigations conducted using multi-spectral satellite remote-sensing data of the ancient canal systems of the Wadi el Melah Valley (WMV) in southern Tunisia. The area used to be part of a huge military defense system along the desert border. This paper describes the use of GeoEye-1 and Ziyuan-3 satellite remote-sensing data to reveal ancient Roman canals, which were part of an advanced hydraulic system devised to capture runoff water and cope with the lack of water in the area. In general, this research provides new information on some essential sections of the Roman walled defense system Limes ( Fossatum ) in the southern part of the empire, where we study previously undetected sites.

Suggested Citation

  • Nabil Bachagha & Lei Luo & Xinyuan Wang & Nicola Masini & Tababi Moussa & Houcine Khatteli & Rosa Lasaponara, 2020. "Mapping the Roman Water Supply System of the Wadi el Melah Valley in Gafsa, Tunisia, Using Remote Sensing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:2:p:567-:d:307811
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