Hyper and multispectral image analysis in North-eastern Libyan Desert

In the framework of an archaeological research programme by Bologna University (Italy), a multi-sensor approach has been applied on a portion of the Libyan desert surrounding the Fayyum Oasis (Egypt), in order to support a paleo-environmental reconstruction. A spectral analysis has been performed by integrating multi and hyper-spectral data sets on bare soils. In particular Hyperion archive scenes were used for materials identification, to support and complement a lithological classification, based on mineral indexes calculation, covering the entire study area. The first results provide information on lithological setting, which may also support the reconstruction of the historical water level fluctuation of birket Qarun, a saline lake which occupies the deepest portion of the Fayyum depression and which has been playing a key role in the development of the region since ancient times.