What is a major benefit of using remote sensing for historical studies?

The major benefit of using remote sensing for historical studies lies in its ability to detect subterranean features without the need for excavation. This capability allows researchers to gather data about ancient structures, burial sites, or other archaeological features that are hidden beneath the surface without disturbing the ground. Remote sensing techniques, such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and LiDAR, can provide valuable information that helps historians and archaeologists uncover and analyze historical landscapes and settlement patterns.

The capability to visualize and map these features not only enhances our understanding of past human activities and environmental changes but also supports the preservation of sites that might otherwise be damaged by traditional excavation methods. As a result, remote sensing presents a non-invasive, efficient, and often more cost-effective means of conducting historical studies.

Other choices focus on aspects that do not capture the primary strengths of remote sensing in historical research. For instance, excluding non-dominant species does not pertain directly to archaeological studies. Analyzing only modern geographic patterns ignores the retrospective nature of historical research. Reliance on historical documents implies a dependence on written sources, which can be scarce or biased, thus contrasting the advantages of remote sensing in providing empirical data.