Satellite Technology Uncovers New Ancient Egyptian Cities And Pyramids

Video from Unearthed History - Archaeology Documentaries

Satellite Technology Uncovers New Ancient Egyptian Cities And Pyramids

"This documentary follows Dr. Sarah Parcak, an archaeologist pioneering a new field: satellite archaeology. Using infrared and high-resolution satellite imagery, she is revolutionizing the way we find ancient sites. Witness as she unearths thousands of potential discoveries, including lost cities and 17 new pyramids, buried deep beneath the sands of Egypt. This new technology is not only rewriting the map of ancient Egypt but also proving to be a vital tool in protecting archaeological sites from looting." from the video introduction

Missouri archaeologists think they've found a lost city in the Amazon rainforest

Video from KSDK News

"Forest Park is far from the Amazon rainforest, but that's where 5 On Your Side met research archaeologists Dr. Daniel Pierce and Chris Bodine.

While both call Springfield home working at Missouri State, they both have St. Louis roots. Dr. Pierce grew up near Arnold and Bodine lived in Tower Grove while he went to St. Louis University.

Together, Pierce and Bodine formed the Terra Incognita Research Institute. In their lab, they've identified clues to what may be hidden in the vines and canopy of the jungle.

"We've found some large manmade features like geometric designs," Pierce said, "evidence of a large-scale permanent settlement of a complex civilization that nobody knew was there."

Using LiDAR, the team has identified possible roads, buildings and trails.

"LiDAR is a sensor that you attach to an airplane or a drone and it shoots laser pulses towards the surface of the earth," explained Bodine. He says LiDAR can be used to make highly detailed maps, "with different codes and you can remove the trees or the leaves or the buildings and leave just the bare ground and it allows you to see what is underneath the trees."

Virtually peeling away the forest, Pierce and Bodine think they've found a lost city the Amazon. Now they have to prove it.

"Somewhere in the middle of the Amazon," Bodine outlined the expedition, "then up the river several hundred miles, then once we get up the river we're going to go into the jungle several more miles and try and confirm what we've seen through satellite imagery."

The goal and dream for Pierce is "to be the first to ever identify an entire culture that lived there." from the video introduction

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