Geo-archaeological research in the surroundings of the Wadi Mujib canyon (Jordan) based upon field survey, very high resolution and stereoscopic satellite images and a GIS

A geo-archaeological model based on various environmental factors was developed for the Wadi Mujib area near the site of Lehun (Jordan). A DEM and a lithological map based on respectively a topographical and a geological map were prepared and integrated into a GIS. Since the geomorphology of the area is of primary, importance to archaeological site prediction an inventory of relevant relief information was extracted from a geomorphological map based on very high resolution and stereoscopic Russian TK350 images. These images offer an interesting alternative for conventional stereoscopic aerial photographs on scale 1:50,000 or smaller due to the high quality, the easy image processing, the large covered area, the availability and the sure and quick delivery,. After integration of the scanned geomorphological map the GIS finally comprised eight factor layers. A simple addition of these information layers resulted in a probability map for geo-archaeology showing the spatial variance of the probability, for archaeological evidence in the area. In the frame of the construction of a dam on the Wadi Mujib near the King's Highway the archaeologists can use this mop as a toot for organizing rescue research in a quick and efficient way.