Scientists Just Used Really Old Satellites to Find 3,000-Year-Old Underground Aqueducts
There’s a bit of AI thrown into the mix, too.
By Tim Newcomb
Published: Sep 20, 2024 8:00 AM EDT
Merrill Images//Getty Images
Researchers in Spain looking to develop a fresh approach to finding long-lost aqueducts have turned to U.S. Cold War-era satellite imagery. By mining the black-and-white images from the HEXAGON satellite program, the team developed machine learning models that have proven adept at picking out ancient aqueducts in varied terrain.
The use of underground aqueducts is common throughout the world, most significantly in the Middle East, but also across the globe from Chile to China.
When you’re on the hunt for 3,000-year-old underground aqueducts, the best new tool to find them has actually been around for quite some time: a U.S. Cold War-era satellite.
The unlikely repurposing of the satellites is thanks to a research team in Spain, as the group has been using the high-resolution black-and-white imagery of the HEXAGON series of satellites, also known as Big Bird, from the United States to hone in on ancient underground aqueducts, known throughout the Middle East as qanats. For further aid, the group created a machine learning model for improved accuracy.
A line of regularly spaced ventilation shafts make these qanat systems visible from above, according to a paper published published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, making satellite imagery valuable in detecting their locations. By feeding a wealth of these images, coupled with artificial intelligence-generated images for even greater variety, into a machine learning model, the team created a global model for detecting qanats, no matter the environmental type, according to the paper.
“Our approach allows us to create a model that can be used in different areas,” they wrote, adding that “our model can be used for mapping large areas and detailed case studies.”
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= new reply since forum marked as read
... second language? Sadly, the misuse of words that may sound similar, but, in fact, have totally different meanings, is far too common among people who should know better, namely, journalists.
One would HOME in on ancient underground aqueducts. The proper word in this context is derived from the name of the homing pigeon, which can find its home from great distances. There are also HOMING devices, and HOMING missiles. One hones a blade, not an aqueduct.
It is incumbent upon those who earn their living using words, to make an effort to use the correct words in the appropriate context. We'll address the abysmal state of punctuation another time.
Two demerits for laziness, Timmy. 
You're welcome.
... My arthritic right forefinger hits the wrong key with infuriating frequency. Only ONE demerit for Timmy. Proofreading is an invaluable adjunct to one's journalistic repertoire. 
Edit to add: I see this grammatical error far too often for it to be solely the fault of errant fingers. Just as people often believe that IMPLY and INFER are interchangeable synonyms (they are not. To imply is to suggest, to infer is to deduce) and they will indignantly defend their position until I draw one my literary swords in the form of "The Elements of Style", or "The Writer's Handbook", or William Sloane's small, but erudite "The Craft of Writing". I have more books on the subject, but I'll spare you the misery of having to read the list.
Have a wonderful day!
One tiny demerit seems appropriate then 
Anymore I'm happy to see proper use of you're/your and their/they're/there and oh always to/too. Tutu?
Have a lovely Sunday