Detection of Maya Sacbeob (Sacbes) Using Optical and Sar Imagery in Northern Petén, Mexico

Radar imagery proves effective in penetrating dense forest cover to identify and document ancient Maya sacbeob (roads), offering a cost-effective alternative to LiDAR for large-scale mapping. This study connected previously mapped sacbeob between Calakmul, El Mirador, and Uxul using Landsat-7, Landsat-8 optical images, and Sentinel-1 C-VH&VV, Alos-1 PalSAR L-HH&HV radar data, building on earlier work with Landsat-5 TM imagery. The findings highlight the potential of remote sensing to revolutionize ground surveys in inaccessible or densely forested regions, providing a foundation for targeted verification and preservation efforts.

LaRocque, A., Leblon, B., Ek, J., & Folan, W. J. (2022). DETECTION OF MAYA SACBEOB (SACBES) USING OPTICAL AND SAR IMAGERY IN NORTHERN PETÉN, MEXICO. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, XLIII-B3-2022, 633–639. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-xliii-b3-2022-633-2022