CONCLUSION

The previous chapters have illustrated the present state of affairs in archaeological remote sensing. It remains for me to introduce, however, the potential new directions that satellite remote sensing is taking, and additional ways satellite remote sensing might contribute to the broader field of anthropology. Remote sensing programs will undoubtedly improve over time, and more specific programs for archaeological work may be developed. More advanced computer programming is needed to improve specific algorithms, but we are a long way from obtaining, if ever, any “automated” satellite archaeology: To realize this objective, innumerable sets of conditions and different signatureswould need to be identified andput into remote sensing programs-not impossible, but quite far reaching. Each region of the world requires specific approaches that change according to weather patterns and each satellite image. If satellite imagery analysis cannot be made “automatic” in the foreseeable future, will ongoing computer programs require less training, or will specific programs for archaeologists be developed? Imagery programsmay becomemore user friendly, but, like all advanced computer programming, will require coursework and training for interpretation. Remote sensing programs are not restricted to any one field, as the same techniques that can locate past archaeological sites can be used in every remote sensing subfield, including forestry, geology, physics, biology, and many others.