ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Archeological imagery

Imagine you are an explorer, but instead of a jungle or a desert, you are exploring the history of a city or civilization that existed thousands of years ago. But how do you look at things that are buried underground or too old to touch? That's where archeological imagery comes in to help you, just like a magic magnifying glass for uncovering the secrets of the past!

Archeological imagery is all about using different tools to see things that are buried under the ground or hidden away in a museum which may not be easy to see with our own eyes. One of the most common tools that archeologists use are cameras that take pictures from a very high point or from the air called aerial cameras. These cameras can help capture images of large areas, like whole cities or patches of land, in great detail from above. They also help detect things that are hidden beneath the surface of the ground, using special technologies like infrared imaging or LIDAR, by helping to see through layers of dirt or other materials.

Sometimes, archeologists also use ground-penetrating radar, which creates a picture of what is hidden underneath the ground, helping to reveal the shape and size of historical structures like temples, walls or old buildings. In addition, archeological imaging can also reconstruct the look of the past, by creating 3D models of buildings that no longer exist or by drawing missing parts of a structure.

By using all these special tools, researchers can get a deep understanding of what life was like in ancient times, and answer questions like how big was a city or how people lived, without ever having to lay a hand on anything. Archeological imagery helps us to unlock a whole new level of knowledge about our history and what secrets lie buried beneath our feet!