In this paper we report on a new archaeological project in the central Alps, titled Silvretta Historica, in which satellite-assisted archaeological surveying is intended to play a key role. Following an overview of the Silvretta study area on the Swiss-Austrian border and its archaeology, we present the first results of recent archaeological fieldwork focussing on the remains of prehistoric alpine pasture economy or Alpwirtschaft. We then continue to discuss why spectral and geometric analysis of high-resolution satellite images are considered a promising method to assist archaeological survey in a high alpine environment.