Special Topics: Module 1 - Finding Maya Pyramids (Part 1)

     This assignment takes me back to the Remote Sensing course but now I get to apply those principles to finding Maya pyramids. Space archaeology, hooray! This first assignment sets the stage for the next two weeks by preparing the data for a supervised classification (next module). We use past (2001) Landsat 7 ETM+ data to examine the location of a known Maya pyramid complex (La Danta, discovered in 2009). Using different band combinations (see below) we looked for any distinguishing characteristics around the pyramid that might help in identifying the locations of other pyramids in the jungle (in the next module).

     My map shows a full extent panchromatic image (band 8, 15m resolution) of the broader area surrounding the pyramid, La Danta (a Maya pyramid). A true color and false color image of the area in the immediate vicinity of the pyramid are shown. The true color (band combination: 3 - visible light [red], 2 - visible light [green], 1 - visible light [blue]) and false color (band combination: 4 - near infrared, 3 - visible light [red], 2 - visible light [green]) images were generated using the Composite Bands tool (Data Management toolbox). Both the contrast and the brightness were altered to enhance the image and the images were pansharpened using the panchromatic band (band 8). The pyramid is difficult to visualize at these band combinations as it was, at the time, obscured by vegetation.

A map showing a full extent panchromatic image of an area of jungle in
 Guatemala containing several Maya pyramid complexes. Two composite
images (one true color, one false color) highlight an area where a pyramid,
La Danta, is obscured by dense vegetation.