Looking Down, What Do You See?

An archaeologist is a scientist who studies people who lived a long time ago and learns about them from the objects and homes they've left behind.

Archaeologists are known to use tools like brushes, shovels and sieves. But airplanes and satellites in space are also tools they use!

Archaeologists can study ancient structures on the ground from above in air or from space using photography and satellite imaging. This is called aerial archaeology.

These images are used to find new archaeological sites, identify new features on already found sites, and track changes on vulnerable sites to help preserve them!

Step 1: Go to a web browser on your computer or phone and visit Your Name in Landsat.

Step 2: Input your first name into the text box.

Step 3: Look  closely at each of the images. 

• What do you see? Can you see water like a river or lake, or farmland (which look like perfect shapes)?
• Where in the world was this image taken? Is this a warm place or a cold place? 
• The image above shows farmland that forms the letter "L".

Step 4: Click on each of the images to see where the image was taken. 
Step 5: Reenter your name or another name to see more Landsat images!

by Steve Jenkins 
Best for ages 4-8

In this wordless picture book, we see a view of the Earth from different perspectives—from outer space, from the upper atmosphere and through the eyes of a small child.

by Ian Graham, illustrated by Mark Bergin
Best for ages 8-12

Learn about the different jobs of satellites as they zoom around the Earth. Watch as they scan the earth to provide us with information about weather, location, and even ancient civilizations. What would life be like without satellites? 

• This picture of Serpent Mound in Peebles, Ohio was taken by aerial photographer Dache M. Reeves. It was first published in 1936.
• The Serpent Mound was created by the Early Woodland Adena culture around 300 BCE, making it about 2300 years old! The Serpent stretches over a quarter mile long and is up to 4.9 feet tall and 24.9 feet wide! This makes it the largest serpent sculpture in the world. 
• When viewed from above, it is clear how this mound is in the shape of the serpent! See how its long body twists and turns, and on the right side ends in an open mouth?
• This photograph is in the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian's collection.

• In the late 1920s, Charles and Anne Lindbergh captured aerial photographs of Maya ruins in Central America, including Chichén Itzá. 

• These images provided a new perspective on Maya architecture, such as the Temple of Kukulkán, whose design reflects the Maya's deep connection to solar cycles. The pyramid’s 365 steps symbolize the solar year, and during equinoxes, light and shadow create effects resembling Kukulkán’s descent. 

• The Lindberghs’ photos highlighted the significance of solar alignments in Maya culture, helping archaeologists understand the role of astronomy in their architecture and agricultural practices.

• This photograph is in Yale University Library's collection.

• Charles and Anne Lindbergh also captured aerial photographs of the White House ruins during their exploration of Chaco Canyon in the late 1920s.
• The White House, one of the largest great houses in Chaco Canyon, showcases the intricate architecture of the Ancestral Puebloans, between 859 AD and 1250 AD.
• The Lindberghs' aerial images provided a unique view of the ruins. They highlighted the site's layout and architectural features, including its multiple levels and ceremonial structures called kivas. These photographs helped archaeologists learn more about the native people of Chaco Canyon, their trade networks, and the cultural significance of the site.
• This photograph is in Yale University Library's collection.