A specialized image processing method known as decorrelation stretch, initially created at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has become a vital tool for archaeologists. The technique, which enhances color and contrast in digital images, was originally designed to analyze data from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on the Terra satellite.
The transition from space exploration to archaeology began when Jon Harman, a rock art enthusiast with a background in medical imaging, recognized the potential of the algorithm after viewing NASA imagery of the Martian surface. Harman adapted the 1996 research by NASA’s Ronald Alley into a software plug-in called Dstretch. Since its creation, the tool has been utilized to reveal nearly invisible paintings at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple, as well as historical imagery in Egyptian tombs, Norwegian cliff sites, and Canadian parks.
Beyond rock art, the application has been employed to identify the remains of ancient Greek structures and to examine markings on mummified human remains. Harman, who continues to manage requests for the software and has developed mobile versions of the tool, noted that the diverse range of applications for the technology has been unexpected.
Source: NASA
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.