Inside Search
The official Google Search blog
Exploring ancient ruins in 3D with Google Earth
December 8, 2011
(Cross-posted from the
LatLong Blog
)
Searches can become stories. Some inspire us, others change the way we see the world or just make us smile. This is the latest in a
series of videos
about people who have used Google to discover or do something extraordinary.
The field of archaeology has changed much over the years. New modes of transportation have made even the most remote sites accessible, while cameras simplify how a historical record is created and shared with the world.
Spurred on by these innovations, researchers are also embracing technology as a creative way to aid their research and explore ancient sites. To conduct archaeological studies in the Middle East,
Professor David Kennedy
of the University of Western Australia turned to
Google Earth
.
From his office chair in Perth, Professor Kennedy has
remotely identified
thousands of archaeological sites without having to step foot on Saudi Arabian or Yemeni soil. Historically it has been difficult to undertake ground surveys and aerial photographs of these areas are seldom available for research, making the countries some of the least explored archaeologically. By carefully studying satellite imagery of the Arabian peninsula in Google Earth, Professor Kennedy has
unearthed an enormous record
of archaeological sites, from ancient
geoglyphs
to stone
Wheels
to Pendant-shaped tombs and animal traps called kites that could be up to 9,000 years old.
Watch
Professor Kennedy’s Search Story video
to see how Google Earth aided his search for these ancient sites across the Middle East.
Professor Kennedy
isn’t the only archaeologist to discover the potential in using satellite imagery to aid traditional field methods. Visit
www.OneWorldManyStories.com
to discover how the scientific community has used Google Earth to
uncover ancient relics
, find a
new hominid ancestor
,
identify hidden forests
, and
put craters on the map
.
Do you have a great Google Earth story?
Share it
with us.
Posted by Vicky Homan, Google Earth Product Marketing
Labels
flight search
images
knowledge graph
local
mobile
quick answers
Search Blog
search quality
search stories
search tips
trends
universal search
webmasters
Archive
2016
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2015
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2014
Dec
Nov
Oct
Aug
Jul
Jun
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2013
Dec
Nov
Sep
Aug
Jul
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2012
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Apr
Mar
Feb
Jan
2011
Dec
Nov
Oct
Sep
Aug
Jul
Jun
May
Feed
Google
on
Follow @google
Follow
Give us feedback in our
Product Forums
.
Follow