Sistemi di documentazione per scavi archeologici preventivi: piattaforme GIS per la gestione dello scavo del Santa Margherita a Pavia

Abstract

This paper discusses methodological aspects by illustrating the fi rst products of a researchproject developed as part of a collaboration agreement between the DICAr - Departmentof Civil Engineering and Architecture of the University of Pavia and the enterprise GEAs.r.l. Archaeology, for the documentation of the archaeological excavations in the former SantaMargherita Institute in Pavia (Italy). The activities, carried out by the experimental laboratoriesDAda-LAB and PLAY, regarded the documentation of the archaeological evidences, datingback to the 4th century AD, brought to light by the interventions of conversion and remodellingof the historical and architectural complex. The need to produce documentation apparatus tosupport the excavation activities is boosted by the fragility of the archaeological site, apparentlymeant to disappear to allow space for the construction of an underground car park.The research aims to develop a methodology for the organisation of the data acquired in themultiple excavation campaigns, the production of databases useful to archaeologists for thechronological interpretation of the excavation, the detection of archaeological emergencies andthe development of an information system that combines models and databases. Since March2022, data acquisition campaigns have been undertaken to progressively survey the phases ofexcavations. Data sheets were then developed for stratigraphic units and deposit units, andan effective GIS system was developed to represent the complex nature of the site by makingclear the relationships between the stratigraphic units. The fi rst results of the research outline amethodological process that leads to the development of a digital ‘container’ in which it becomespossible to include the data collected during the campaign by reducing the time gap betweenacquisition, recording, processing and synthesis of information.