In recent decades, we have witnessed a dramatic increase in the risks and damages to archaeological sites and heritage places across the globe. By analysing a case study (the Qazvin plain) in northern Iran, we propose a classification of the types of risks and damages to archaeological sites and we assess the impact of each type over the last 40 years (1980s–2020s). Our research methodology consists of the cross-correlated multi-temporal analysis of different sets of satellite imagery with 167 archaeological sites in the Qazvin plain to determine the types, extension and evolution of the damages over the time. This methodology allowed to develop a three-tier hierarchical framework based on the drivers, threats, and actions jeopardizing the cultural heritage of the region. The result of this study permits to overturn current narratives inferring that the most impacting risks to archaeological sites and heritage places are caused by natural hazards, looting and violent destruction rather than agricultural activity or construction. Consequently, based on this evidence, we draw a distinction between ‘silent’ but constant and pervasive and ‘loud’ but short-living and circumscribed risks.

中文翻译：

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加兹温平原（伊朗）考古遗址的多时相卫星风险分析

近几十年来，我们目睹了全球考古遗址和遗产地的风险和破坏急剧增加。通过分析伊朗北部的一个案例研究（加兹温平原），我们提出了对考古遗址风险和损害类型的分类，并评估了每种类型在过去 40 年（1980 年代至 2020 年代）中的影响。我们的研究方法包括对加兹温平原 167 个考古遗址的不同卫星图像集进行交叉相关的多时相分析，以确定随着时间的推移损害的类型、延伸和演变。这种方法允许开发一个基于驱动因素、威胁和危害该地区文化遗产的行动的三层层次框架。这项研究的结果可以推翻目前的说法，即对考古遗址和遗产地影响最大的风险是由自然灾害、抢劫和暴力破坏造成的，而不是农业活动或建筑。因此，基于这一证据，我们区分了“沉默”但持续且普遍的风险和“响亮”但短暂且受限的风险。