Abstract
This research focuses on the study of the ruins of a large building known as “El Torreón” (the Tower), belonging to the Ulaca oppidum (Solosancho, Province of Ávila, Spain). Different remote sensing and geophysical approaches have been used to fulfil this objective, providing a better understanding of the building’s functionality in this town, which belongs to the Late Iron Age (ca. 300–50 BCE). In this sense, the outer limits of the ruins have been identified using photogrammetry and convergent drone flights. An additional drone flight was conducted in the surrounding area to find additional data that could be used for more global interpretations. Magnetometry was used to analyze the underground bedrock structure and ground penetrating radar (GPR) was employed to evaluate the internal layout of the ruins. The combination of these digital methodologies (surface and underground) has provided a new perspective for the improved interpretation of “El Torreón” and its characteristics. Research of this type presents additional guidelines for better understanding of the role of this structure with regards to other buildings in the Ulaca oppidum. The results of these studies will additionally allow archaeologists to better plan future interventions while presenting new data that can be used for the interpretation of this archaeological complex on a larger scale.
Highlights
Common practice in archaeology requires extensive documentation of a given region of interest (ROI), prior to any kind of intervention
“El Torreón”, especially to the west, some of them large. This fact may be because “El is located in a privileged place inside the oppidum, a raised platform from which a large
This paper presents a multidisciplinary methodological approach to the study of the ruins and the area surrounding the large building known as “El Torreón”
Summary
Common practice in archaeology requires extensive documentation of a given region of interest (ROI), prior to any kind of intervention In this sense, geotechnologies provide essential benefits for archaeology as they employ an array of non-destructive techniques for the characterization of heritage assets. Geotechnologies provide essential benefits for archaeology as they employ an array of non-destructive techniques for the characterization of heritage assets From this perspective, remote sensing and geophysical methodologies allow for the geometric characterization of the surface and buried elements of different archaeological sites. While applied geophysics mainly focuses on the subsurface, typical remote sensing techniques have the ability to accurately image the Earth’s surface with high-resolution investigations carried out by means of terrestrial, airborne, or satellite-based platforms
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
