2.2 Monument prediction using remote 
sensing imagery 
To image and to interpret the natural and 
artificial contrasts of the thermal radiation of 
the earth surface, an infrared line scanner or 
suited CCD -sensors are needed. 
In addition to this more operational remote 
sensing techniques, the archaeological and 
even the cartographic potential of radar 
imagery still is a matter of research. Not yet 
completely solved are the proper conditions 
and the deepness of soil penetration of 
microwaves. For dry terrain a radar penetration 
of about 40 m has been observed from ground 
truth measurements. From space borne radar a 
ground penetration of about 10m is expected. 
On radar images of dry desert areas might 
appear ancient rivers, currently covered by 
sand, which are not visible on conventional 
photography. This can lead to indications for 
probable locations of former settlements. 
2.3 Monument prediction using terrestrial 
photos 
As a sample for a historic terrestrial photo, in 
figure 5 is shown the destroyed castle of the 
City of Varel (Germany) in the situation of 
dismantling. This photo is dated 1861 and was 
recently discovered in private property. It is 
the first photographic document of this 
monument ever reported on. So far only 
handed down paintings of this object existed. 
As a contribution to monument prediction in 
conjunction with available historic maps of this 
building, this photo for instance precisely 
allows to reconstruct main parts of this castle 
and informs about ensembles of ornaments, 
which now can be searched for, see chapter 
32 
2.4 Monument prediction using maps 
Historic maps and measurements often indicate 
geometric inaccuracies and not sufficient 
identical points. Therefore this type of maps, 
like mainly historic texts, might be only of 
qualitative rather than of quantitative value. 
In cases, where historic maps promise a 
successful transformation of the situation of 
topographic details into the actual situation, 
within the map local varying scales might 
    
appear, which must be taken into account, as 
well as local changes in orientation. To 
indicate archaeological sites in the field with 
some probability from this kind of distorted 
maps, all available historic maps of a probable 
archaeological site are fitted piece wise with 
respect to each other and to recent maps as 
well as to rectified aerial photographs, as far as 
available. 
Nowadays this fitting procedure will be 
carried out digitally, based on digitised historic 
maps and / or photos. The digital vector- 
and/or raster-data interactive is fitted to the up 
to date situation based on ground control 
points and on texture information. 
3. INTERPRETATION OF DISCOVERED 
MONUMENTS 
3.1 Correlation of monuments with 
standard situations 
As an example, the rectangular pattern of the 
monument discovered in a field by aerial 
photography, as shown in figure 1, 2 and 3, 
with some probability might indicate the 
characteristic shape of a Roman fortress, 
which has not been verified so far. 
3.2 Correlation of monuments with 
buildings or reconstructions 
In the following, as a typical sample, it is 
reported on the correlation of existing 
monuments with a historic photo of a building. 
This sample already has been mentioned in 
chapter 2.3. 
In this case, further correlation of the 
monuments shown in Fig. 4 with a recently 
discovered historic photo of the portal of the 
destroyed castle of the City of Varel 
(Germany), dated 1861, see figure 5, with 
some probability identifies them as parts of the 
missing ornaments of the main portal of this 
castle. Due to the existence of these 
monuments, recent reports on undecorated 
facades of this castle, have to be changed. The 
introduced ensemble consists of 4 monuments, 
including the figure of an angel. The remaining 
three stones show the so called rose of 
Aldenburg, for which the 5 petals are typical, 
which still appear in the heraldic figure of that 
town.