Study of Erbil Al-Qala citadel time changes by comparison of historical and contemporary image data

A comparative analysis of historical and contemporary image data reveals significant structural changes within the Erbil Citadel particularly highlighting the destruction of numerous objects during the latter half of the 20th century. The study leverages Bradford's 1951 stereoscopic aerial photographs and modern very high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery from Ikonos (2003), QuickBird (2005), and Pleiades (2014) to create digital models and orthophotos. By processing these datasets using Agisoft PhotoScan software, researchers identified missing or altered structures, providing a detailed mapping of the citadel's historical evolution. This approach underscores the potential of long-term image data analysis in documenting and preserving cultural heritage sites.

Housarová, E., Pavelka, K., & Šedina, J. (2018). Study of Erbil Al-Qala citadel time changes by comparison of historical and contemporary image data. European Journal of Remote Sensing, 52(sup1), 202–208. https://doi.org/10.1080/22797254.2018.1531683