The recent development of camera sensors, the manufacturing of lenses and the accurate algorithms... more The recent development of camera sensors, the manufacturing of lenses and the accurate algorithms of photogrammetric software allow today to acquire point clouds similar to those generated from a laser scanner. The results are similar: numerical models that contain a variety of information, useful for the final data synthesis. Thanks to the automatic points recognition of photogrammetric algorithms, it is now possible to revise part of digital data previously acquired and use them in new computing strategies. Emblematic is the example of the crusader castle of Wu’Ayra, an important medieval fortress located in the Petra valley in Jordan. Since 2000, in collaboration with the international mission of the University of Florence, a number of surveys aimed at detecting the whole monumental area, the archaeological site, the settlement and the defensive system of the castle were performed by the research team of the Italian ITABC-CNR. Different survey techniques were used during the acquisition step, in order to enhance the main information of the archaeological site and the geomorphology of an extended area particularly complex to be defined. In these 15 years, the team tested several techniques. Thanks to recent software, the team has revised old data, created a defined numerical model of Wu’Ayra, updated and improved the documentation. The Authors illustrate the results of these elaborations and compare them with the other systems used, highlighting the differences and updating the graphic documentation of an important site in the history of the Petra valley. Furthermore, latest data of the architectural structures of the formworks acquired with laser scanner will be presented.
Laser scanner and digital photogrammetric systems (photo scanning) must be considered at present ... more Laser scanner and digital photogrammetric systems (photo scanning) must be considered at present two of the main techniques used for archaeological and architectural surveying. The integration of both 3D scanning systems allowed us to improve the scientiàc knowledge, the management, the use and the safeguarding of Cultural Heritage. The aim of this article is to identify analogies and differences between the two surveying techniques applied to different archaeological contexts. Starting from a general introduction to the concept of measurement and the management of the data acquired from different techniques of surveying, the article focuses on the laser scanner applications with particular attention on the intrinsic properties of the instrument, the problems of measurement and the methodology used during the survey. The second part is focused on the digital photogrammetry applied on a particular archaeological context. Digital photogrammetry was developed and experimented in order to acquire territorial data quickly. The optimization of the working speed, while maintaining accuracy of data, means cost savings and an optimal use of funds. Our workgroup decided to transfer that methodology to the archaeological excavations of Rome Metro Line C in collaboration with some public institutions and private companies. The ànal results have produced 2D and 3D graphic documentations of all the archaeological area up to highly-accurate ortho-recti àed images. Point clouds allowed us to simultaneously view a general 3D model of all open archaeological areas, providing an opportunity for observation and an analysis not possible by other means. Each area can be studied together with the others in a global view of the excavation. Every stratigraphic unit can be displayed in the same area and switched on in the same way as a layer.
The Petra monumental site is located on the left rim of the Rift Valley in central-southern Jorda... more The Petra monumental site is located on the left rim of the Rift Valley in central-southern Jordan. The entire valley, which is tectonic in origin, rests on Late Cambrian quartzarenite rock formations of continental origin. Past research conducted by our team has allowed us to identify the following main causes of the weathering processes: thermal expansion and shrinkage of rocks caused by the great differences in day and night temperatures contribute to the loosening of quartz grains that lead to the disintegration of the rock. Heavy rainfall and above all surface runoff contribute significantly to the removal of weathered materials from the surface. Other forms of decay are caused by the presence of salts along the fractures. Both fieldwork and laboratory analyses performed in the past in a climate chamber have demonstrated that the products usually used in conventional restoration work are not very effective, due to the “extreme” climate and the chemical and physical characteristics of the rocks. The project proposes the realization of a GIS aimed at acquiring complete knowledge of the man-made structures and hydraulic system underlying the routes of the canalisations and identifying the cisterns. This work is meant to contribute a valid support aimed at the restoration, which will involve several different disciplines, including the geological and chemical analysis of the rocks, the topography and the 3D photogrammetry.
The article presents the results of the GPS and photographic surveys conducted on the archaeologi... more The article presents the results of the GPS and photographic surveys conducted on the archaeological site of Villa Magna (Anagni, Lazio). The archaeological complex, identified as the imperial residence of Antoninus Pius, occupies an area of about 22 hectares. Presently, the visible remains are divided into two principal nuclei: the northern one, near the church of S. Pietro, and the southern one, occupied by a farmhouse. The aim of the survey was the reconstruction of the morphology of the terrain in order to produce a Digital Terrain Model and to highlight the relationship between natural elements and ancient structures. In order to speed up the work, a new procedure was used. It consists of a Differential GPS used in a kinematic way by mounting the rover antenna on a jeep. In this article the experimental method’s advantages and the problems of acquisition are analysed. Moreover, low altitude photographs of the archaeological excavations were taken using an aerostatic balloon. The photographic system was anchored to the balloon with a radio-controlled device called Picavet. Georeferenced photos can be very useful not only for documenting but also for presenting and exploiting the site.
L’Informatica e il metodo della stratigrafia , 2008
The present paper, through a series of methodological and scientific experiences, means to contri... more The present paper, through a series of methodological and scientific experiences, means to contribute to the use of IT in the
archaeological field. A number of works in progress are exposed, in which different methodologies are related to different
case - studies . Our analysis wants to be a moment of constructive criticism about the treatment of the spatial information.
For any type of IT elaboration and spatial correlation, the attention must be focused on the objectives to reach and on the
intrinsic characteristics of the experimental datum. In order to analyze and interpret the data set, itʼs necessary to know
different methodologies and their instrumental errors. Through this type of analysis, it will be possible to perform dimensional
and spatial comparisons that will allow us to use the datum, not only in qualitative but also in quantitative way. In this article
some case - studies will be shown which are very interesting for the type of methodology used. In the archeological complex
of Villamagna, near Anagni, the differential GPS has been used. The purpose of this work, was to get the DTM of the area
near the archaeological excavation. In this survey differential GPS has been used mounted on a off-road vehicle.
Subsequently the orto - photo and its connected problems will be analyzed, i.e. the drawing of stratigraphic unity in
relationship to the dimension of the photo and other related problems. Actually clouds of points taken with laser scanner or
photogrammetry, thanks to their precision, are innovative elements for the execution of an archaeological survey. Some
examples related to the use of scanner laser and photogrammetry and belonging to current international projects will be
shown: in the first example the laser scanner is applied to buildings of which a virtual navigation is figured. In the second
case the photogrammetry (manual and automatic), through the use of braked aerostatic ballon, is applied to one of the
most important monuments of Petra (Palace Tomb) and on the crusade castle of Shawbak. The purpose of the presented
case - studies is to show that a single methodology cannot be used everywhere and that very often we need to use a
methodology that be related to the specific features of the site.
The recent development of camera sensors, the manufacturing of lenses and the accurate algorithms... more The recent development of camera sensors, the manufacturing of lenses and the accurate algorithms of photogrammetric software allow today to acquire point clouds similar to those generated from a laser scanner. The results are similar: numerical models that contain a variety of information, useful for the final data synthesis. Thanks to the automatic points recognition of photogrammetric algorithms, it is now possible to revise part of digital data previously acquired and use them in new computing strategies. Emblematic is the example of the crusader castle of Wu’Ayra, an important medieval fortress located in the Petra valley in Jordan. Since 2000, in collaboration with the international mission of the University of Florence, a number of surveys aimed at detecting the whole monumental area, the archaeological site, the settlement and the defensive system of the castle were performed by the research team of the Italian ITABC-CNR. Different survey techniques were used during the acquisition step, in order to enhance the main information of the archaeological site and the geomorphology of an extended area particularly complex to be defined. In these 15 years, the team tested several techniques. Thanks to recent software, the team has revised old data, created a defined numerical model of Wu’Ayra, updated and improved the documentation. The Authors illustrate the results of these elaborations and compare them with the other systems used, highlighting the differences and updating the graphic documentation of an important site in the history of the Petra valley. Furthermore, latest data of the architectural structures of the formworks acquired with laser scanner will be presented.
Laser scanner and digital photogrammetric systems (photo scanning) must be considered at present ... more Laser scanner and digital photogrammetric systems (photo scanning) must be considered at present two of the main techniques used for archaeological and architectural surveying. The integration of both 3D scanning systems allowed us to improve the scientiàc knowledge, the management, the use and the safeguarding of Cultural Heritage. The aim of this article is to identify analogies and differences between the two surveying techniques applied to different archaeological contexts. Starting from a general introduction to the concept of measurement and the management of the data acquired from different techniques of surveying, the article focuses on the laser scanner applications with particular attention on the intrinsic properties of the instrument, the problems of measurement and the methodology used during the survey. The second part is focused on the digital photogrammetry applied on a particular archaeological context. Digital photogrammetry was developed and experimented in order to acquire territorial data quickly. The optimization of the working speed, while maintaining accuracy of data, means cost savings and an optimal use of funds. Our workgroup decided to transfer that methodology to the archaeological excavations of Rome Metro Line C in collaboration with some public institutions and private companies. The ànal results have produced 2D and 3D graphic documentations of all the archaeological area up to highly-accurate ortho-recti àed images. Point clouds allowed us to simultaneously view a general 3D model of all open archaeological areas, providing an opportunity for observation and an analysis not possible by other means. Each area can be studied together with the others in a global view of the excavation. Every stratigraphic unit can be displayed in the same area and switched on in the same way as a layer.
The Petra monumental site is located on the left rim of the Rift Valley in central-southern Jorda... more The Petra monumental site is located on the left rim of the Rift Valley in central-southern Jordan. The entire valley, which is tectonic in origin, rests on Late Cambrian quartzarenite rock formations of continental origin. Past research conducted by our team has allowed us to identify the following main causes of the weathering processes: thermal expansion and shrinkage of rocks caused by the great differences in day and night temperatures contribute to the loosening of quartz grains that lead to the disintegration of the rock. Heavy rainfall and above all surface runoff contribute significantly to the removal of weathered materials from the surface. Other forms of decay are caused by the presence of salts along the fractures. Both fieldwork and laboratory analyses performed in the past in a climate chamber have demonstrated that the products usually used in conventional restoration work are not very effective, due to the “extreme” climate and the chemical and physical characteristics of the rocks. The project proposes the realization of a GIS aimed at acquiring complete knowledge of the man-made structures and hydraulic system underlying the routes of the canalisations and identifying the cisterns. This work is meant to contribute a valid support aimed at the restoration, which will involve several different disciplines, including the geological and chemical analysis of the rocks, the topography and the 3D photogrammetry.
The article presents the results of the GPS and photographic surveys conducted on the archaeologi... more The article presents the results of the GPS and photographic surveys conducted on the archaeological site of Villa Magna (Anagni, Lazio). The archaeological complex, identified as the imperial residence of Antoninus Pius, occupies an area of about 22 hectares. Presently, the visible remains are divided into two principal nuclei: the northern one, near the church of S. Pietro, and the southern one, occupied by a farmhouse. The aim of the survey was the reconstruction of the morphology of the terrain in order to produce a Digital Terrain Model and to highlight the relationship between natural elements and ancient structures. In order to speed up the work, a new procedure was used. It consists of a Differential GPS used in a kinematic way by mounting the rover antenna on a jeep. In this article the experimental method’s advantages and the problems of acquisition are analysed. Moreover, low altitude photographs of the archaeological excavations were taken using an aerostatic balloon. The photographic system was anchored to the balloon with a radio-controlled device called Picavet. Georeferenced photos can be very useful not only for documenting but also for presenting and exploiting the site.
L’Informatica e il metodo della stratigrafia , 2008
The present paper, through a series of methodological and scientific experiences, means to contri... more The present paper, through a series of methodological and scientific experiences, means to contribute to the use of IT in the
archaeological field. A number of works in progress are exposed, in which different methodologies are related to different
case - studies . Our analysis wants to be a moment of constructive criticism about the treatment of the spatial information.
For any type of IT elaboration and spatial correlation, the attention must be focused on the objectives to reach and on the
intrinsic characteristics of the experimental datum. In order to analyze and interpret the data set, itʼs necessary to know
different methodologies and their instrumental errors. Through this type of analysis, it will be possible to perform dimensional
and spatial comparisons that will allow us to use the datum, not only in qualitative but also in quantitative way. In this article
some case - studies will be shown which are very interesting for the type of methodology used. In the archeological complex
of Villamagna, near Anagni, the differential GPS has been used. The purpose of this work, was to get the DTM of the area
near the archaeological excavation. In this survey differential GPS has been used mounted on a off-road vehicle.
Subsequently the orto - photo and its connected problems will be analyzed, i.e. the drawing of stratigraphic unity in
relationship to the dimension of the photo and other related problems. Actually clouds of points taken with laser scanner or
photogrammetry, thanks to their precision, are innovative elements for the execution of an archaeological survey. Some
examples related to the use of scanner laser and photogrammetry and belonging to current international projects will be
shown: in the first example the laser scanner is applied to buildings of which a virtual navigation is figured. In the second
case the photogrammetry (manual and automatic), through the use of braked aerostatic ballon, is applied to one of the
most important monuments of Petra (Palace Tomb) and on the crusade castle of Shawbak. The purpose of the presented
case - studies is to show that a single methodology cannot be used everywhere and that very often we need to use a
methodology that be related to the specific features of the site.
The aim of the paper is to evidence the measurement errors that occur during a survey, considerin... more The aim of the paper is to evidence the measurement errors that occur during a survey, considering the current techniques used in archaeology. Some considerations are necessary in order to find possible solutions for improving the quality and the accuracy of a project. Different experimentations have been made on some case studies for evidencing differences among the methods and the related errors. A specific part has been dedicated to the photogrammetric process from drones and the errors in the representation of the archaeological areas. The processing step has been also analyzed through the use of integrated software, able to highlight issues from different points of view.
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whole monumental area, the archaeological site, the settlement and the defensive system of the castle were performed by the research team of the Italian ITABC-CNR. Different survey techniques were used during the acquisition step, in order to enhance the main information of the archaeological site and the geomorphology of an extended area particularly complex to be defined. In these 15 years, the team tested several techniques. Thanks to recent software, the team has revised old data, created a defined numerical model of Wu’Ayra, updated and improved the documentation. The Authors illustrate the results of these elaborations and compare them with the other systems used, highlighting the differences and updating the graphic documentation of an important site in the history of the Petra valley. Furthermore, latest data of the architectural structures of the formworks acquired with laser scanner will be presented.
archaeological field. A number of works in progress are exposed, in which different methodologies are related to different
case - studies . Our analysis wants to be a moment of constructive criticism about the treatment of the spatial information.
For any type of IT elaboration and spatial correlation, the attention must be focused on the objectives to reach and on the
intrinsic characteristics of the experimental datum. In order to analyze and interpret the data set, itʼs necessary to know
different methodologies and their instrumental errors. Through this type of analysis, it will be possible to perform dimensional
and spatial comparisons that will allow us to use the datum, not only in qualitative but also in quantitative way. In this article
some case - studies will be shown which are very interesting for the type of methodology used. In the archeological complex
of Villamagna, near Anagni, the differential GPS has been used. The purpose of this work, was to get the DTM of the area
near the archaeological excavation. In this survey differential GPS has been used mounted on a off-road vehicle.
Subsequently the orto - photo and its connected problems will be analyzed, i.e. the drawing of stratigraphic unity in
relationship to the dimension of the photo and other related problems. Actually clouds of points taken with laser scanner or
photogrammetry, thanks to their precision, are innovative elements for the execution of an archaeological survey. Some
examples related to the use of scanner laser and photogrammetry and belonging to current international projects will be
shown: in the first example the laser scanner is applied to buildings of which a virtual navigation is figured. In the second
case the photogrammetry (manual and automatic), through the use of braked aerostatic ballon, is applied to one of the
most important monuments of Petra (Palace Tomb) and on the crusade castle of Shawbak. The purpose of the presented
case - studies is to show that a single methodology cannot be used everywhere and that very often we need to use a
methodology that be related to the specific features of the site.
Other
whole monumental area, the archaeological site, the settlement and the defensive system of the castle were performed by the research team of the Italian ITABC-CNR. Different survey techniques were used during the acquisition step, in order to enhance the main information of the archaeological site and the geomorphology of an extended area particularly complex to be defined. In these 15 years, the team tested several techniques. Thanks to recent software, the team has revised old data, created a defined numerical model of Wu’Ayra, updated and improved the documentation. The Authors illustrate the results of these elaborations and compare them with the other systems used, highlighting the differences and updating the graphic documentation of an important site in the history of the Petra valley. Furthermore, latest data of the architectural structures of the formworks acquired with laser scanner will be presented.
archaeological field. A number of works in progress are exposed, in which different methodologies are related to different
case - studies . Our analysis wants to be a moment of constructive criticism about the treatment of the spatial information.
For any type of IT elaboration and spatial correlation, the attention must be focused on the objectives to reach and on the
intrinsic characteristics of the experimental datum. In order to analyze and interpret the data set, itʼs necessary to know
different methodologies and their instrumental errors. Through this type of analysis, it will be possible to perform dimensional
and spatial comparisons that will allow us to use the datum, not only in qualitative but also in quantitative way. In this article
some case - studies will be shown which are very interesting for the type of methodology used. In the archeological complex
of Villamagna, near Anagni, the differential GPS has been used. The purpose of this work, was to get the DTM of the area
near the archaeological excavation. In this survey differential GPS has been used mounted on a off-road vehicle.
Subsequently the orto - photo and its connected problems will be analyzed, i.e. the drawing of stratigraphic unity in
relationship to the dimension of the photo and other related problems. Actually clouds of points taken with laser scanner or
photogrammetry, thanks to their precision, are innovative elements for the execution of an archaeological survey. Some
examples related to the use of scanner laser and photogrammetry and belonging to current international projects will be
shown: in the first example the laser scanner is applied to buildings of which a virtual navigation is figured. In the second
case the photogrammetry (manual and automatic), through the use of braked aerostatic ballon, is applied to one of the
most important monuments of Petra (Palace Tomb) and on the crusade castle of Shawbak. The purpose of the presented
case - studies is to show that a single methodology cannot be used everywhere and that very often we need to use a
methodology that be related to the specific features of the site.