Technology
NASA space imaging algorithm aids discovery of hidden rock art
Archaeologists adapted planetary imagery software to reveal faded artifacts, according to Hacker News.
The short version
- Archaeologist Jon Harman adapted NASA's decorrelation stretch imaging algorithm into a tool called Dstretch to enhance faint rock art.[Hacker News]
- The software uses custom color spaces to uncover previously invisible details in archaeological images worldwide.[Hacker News]
- Researchers have applied the program to identify unrecorded figures in Norway and rare depictions in ancient Egyptian tombs.[Hacker News]
Key facts
- Archaeologist Jon Harman adapted NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's decorrelation stretch technique in 2005 to study rock art.[Hacker News]
- Decorrelation stretch was originally created in 1978 at NASA's JPL and refined by Ronald Alley in 1996 to make it faster and more accurate.[Hacker News]
- Harman implemented the technique in a software plug-in known as Dstretch featuring custom color spaces.[Hacker News]
- Archaeologists have utilized Dstretch to uncover rare depictions at Egypt's Beni Hassan cemetery and about 15 undocumented figures in Norway.[Hacker News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.