LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY AND REMOTE-SENSING IN SOUTHERN MADAGASCAR

This paper demonstrates how remote sensing can be used to aid the gene ral approach of landscape archaeology. The methodology and results of a project attempting to elucidate links and controls between environme ntal change and long-term social change in southern Madagascar are out lined. Multi-seasonal Landsat TM images, SPOT panchromatic and ERS-1 S AR images are used to produce a number of outputs. These include a gen eral landcover map, a detailed map of forest extent and type (split in to primary, secondary, and regenerative), field pattern maps, and pred ictions of archaeological site locations based on spectral properties of known sites. From these maps it has been possible to predict possib le former settlements, archaeological sites, and forests of sacred sig nificance.