Workshop in Cairo on remote monitoring of archaeological sites in Sudan

by

The PCMA Research Centre in Cairo is hosting a workshop titled “Monitoring Archaeological Sites in Sudan Using Satellite Imagery.”

Running from September 22th to 26th, 2024, the workshop is organized by the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, and led by Dr. Mariusz Drzewiecki. It brings together 12 archaeologists and specialists from Sudanese heritage organizations and universities.

The event is taking place in at the Research Centre in Cairo. “Cairo was chosen as the venue for a specific reason,” explains Dr. Drzewiecki. “Many Sudanese archaeologists, who were working for the Sudanese National Corporation for Antiquities or teaching at Sudanese universities before the ou8tbreak of the civil war in Sudan, are now based in Cairo. They are currently collaborating with UNESCO in efforts to protect and monitor Sudan’s cultural heritage in areas affected by conflict.” The workshop is designed to support them in these efforts.

The main goal of the workshop is to help Sudanese archaeologists improve their ability to monitor archaeological heritage in conflict zones. Participants will learn how to use open-access satellite imagery databases, analyze satellite data, create computerized archaeological site databases using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and apply artificial intelligence to monitor sites. They will also explore case studies where these tools have already been successfully implemented.

A significant part of the workshop involves hands-on sessions using satellite imagery and GIS. The interactive format encourages discussions and collaboration on specific case studies, fostering productive exchanges between instructors and participants.

The workshop instructors include:

  • Prof. Włodzimierz Rączkowski (Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań),
  • Prof. Paul Lane, Dr. Stefania Merlo, Dana AlSalamin, Tohamy Abulgasim (University of Cambridge, Mapping Africa’s Endangered Archaeological Sites and Monuments project),
  • Dr. Paweł Wolf (German Archaeological Institute),
  • Dr. Giulio Poggi (Italian Institute of Technology),
  • Dr. Julien Cooper (Macquarie University, Australia),
  • Dr. Mariusz Drzewiecki (PCMA UW).

Workshop program (PDF)

The event is funded through the University of Warsaw’s Excelence Initiative – Research University Action IV.3.1.

Languages