Image Spectrometry and Copernicus data for Heritage Mapping in the Jarama Valley, Spain

Abstract. For millions of years, the Jarama Valley, located in the middle of Spain, has fluctuated physically and geomorphological, supposing over the centuries a crucial settlement for wildlife and different human cultures as an efficient route through South Europa. Currently, this scenario, which consist of a vast and intricate network of military installations due to the Battle of Jarama in the Spanish Civil War, mixed with incredible paleontological sites, Celtiberian cities and roman, are part of a great-protected natural and cultural classified as the Southeast Regional Park close to Madrid City.

The aim of this work is developing a geospatial methodology for the digital heritage mapping in the Jarama Valley using geomatics’ technologies in situ, drones' data, image spectrometry and the Copernicus European program, both their active and passive sensors. Data from Sentinel 1, Sentinel 2 and airborne sensors have analysed according to remote sensing techniques to recognize the potential remains and to reconstruct the heritage landscapes of three test areas in the Jarama Valley. We have investigated the spectral characteristics of main biophysical parameters in the pattern recognition of man-made materials in several remote sensing scenes of the Jarama Valley. Spectral ranges from drones' data are used to validate data cubes from multisperspectral sensor ATM. Sentinel 1 polarimetric products and thermal anomalies have calculated in order to contrast evidences of buried remains and confirm land change detection over the last decades. First results and their consequences on the digital heritage mapping of the Jarama Valley are discussed, representing a first point of protection and an advance of a full cultural and natural heritage research project in this region.