predictive modeling

[John Isaacson]

depends on the size of the midden, its relief and other distinguishing 
chartacteristics that can be detected by either ms image or elevation
model, soils mapping etc. Usually the location of middens is predicted based 
on other criteria such as slope, aspect, soils, elevation, proximity to key
resources such as water, lithic resources, etc. The detection of middens
directly is difficult unless you are using some of the more sophisticated, 
non-commerical remote sensing scanners such as the ones used by NASA. 

Some sites with architecture will show up on aerial photos and spot images
if they are large, such as a pueblo site, and the resolution of the image
is sufficiently small to pick it up.