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NASA's thermal infrared imaging has been used to discover hundreds of
miles of ancient roads and footpaths providing valuable information to
archeologists. These roads were discovered through measurements of slight
temperature differences near the ground.
The
oldest footpaths ever found, dating to about 500 BC in Costa Rica, were
discovered by an orbiting satellite with infrared sensors.
These footpaths were detected underneath the thick canopy of jungle vegetation.
Over 200 miles of roads were found at
Chaco Canyon, New Mexico dating from 900 to 1000 AD, in addition to the
signatures of a
prehistoric settlement - buildings, walls, and agricultural
fields.
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Infrared map of ancient roads
in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.
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