Depopulation and devastation: using GIS for tracing changes in the archaeological landscape of Kharaib al-Dasht, a Late Islamic fishing village (Kuwait)

Abstract

This article presents a case study of the remains of Kharaib al-Dasht (Kuwait), a Late Islamic fishing village. Collaboration between archaeologists from Kuwait and Poland of the Kuwaiti–Polish Archaeological Mission led to a long-term research project of this archaeological site. In this contribution we are presenting the results of a geographic information system (GIS)-structured survey. Different archaeological and geographical methods used in this work, including orthorectification and georeferencing of historical aerial photographs, enabled us to conduct a more in-depth analysis. The multi-layer GIS study resulted in a comprehensive recognition of the archaeological landscape of the site, and also helped us to determine the sources of changes and possible threats to the heritage of Failaka Island.