Space Archaeologist Wins $1 Million for Her Ancient Ruins Project
Sarah Parcak is the 2016 TED Prize winner, and along with her honor comes a hefty amount that she will be using for her high-impact project that will help save archaeological sites from total ruin and terrorist attacks.
Dubbed as a space archaeologist, Parcak will be announcing her project that aims to identify and protect archaeological sites not only in the Middle East but all around the world during the 2016 TED conference in February of next year.
With the use of satellite imagery, Parcak is able to spot structures that once stood as archaeological sites but are now lost in the world of change. She also uses Google Earth from time to time, but much of her work involves infrared imagery so she can spot those sites that aren't visible to the human eye on Google Earth and other images.
Advanced computer algorithms have also proven to be very helpful in her search for archaeological sites as these help her determine the difference of real ancient ruins from piles of rocks that have built themselves up through time.
According to Forbes, Parcak's study with satellite mapping has helped discover 17 possible unknown pyramids that might have been part of Egypt's rich history. She also unearthed over a thousand tombs and 3,000 settlements that add up to the glorious past that the Earth once had.
During her 2012 TED talk, she mentioned that her tools can help uncover ancient structures, cities, and settlements that are considered "missing" for thousands of years.
CNN says Parcak has been working for the past several years to help monitor possible archaeological sites so they can be protected from potential attacks and other factors that could result to their destruction.
"Looting and site destruction are global problems. We have a tough road ahead, and one key will be developing more collaborations and using new technologies like satellite imagery," she said.
Parcak is planning to use her $1 million prize for the advancement of her studies on archaeological sites.
