Abstract
Abstract. Collecting information and mapping are fundamental aspects of systematic archaeological excavation, documentation and interpretation. The process of recording physical evidence is the first step in the archaeological study with the goal to derive spatial and semantic information from the gathered and available data. Archaeological reports always include 2D maps, sections, data distribution and other spatial data. Indeed, the representation is inseparable from the archaeological practice, but this is undoubtedly a time-consuming activity. Nowadays, archaeologists can take advantages of various recording techniques to produce highly accurate 3D models and ortho-images of archaeological sites. Far from replacing the more traditional techniques, the development of new geomatics techniques tries to answer, in a more efficient way, to the needs of archaeological research. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has become more popular in archaeological excavations. In particular, UAV systems become a useful, versatile and cost-effective approach to record large archaeological areas in order to measure and completely document them. They are the fastest way to produce high-resolution 3D models of entire sites and allow archaeologists to collect accurate spatial data that can be used for spatial analyses using GIS platform. The paper presents the results of several UAV surveys of the archaeological remains of Lilybaeum, the ancient city of Marsala (Southern Italy), performed in the Archaeological Park of “Lilibeo”. The UAV acquisitions were planned and carried out to complete the previous traditional documentation of the site. Very detailed 3D models and high-resolution ortho-images, together with some new field campaigns, have been used for new analysis and documentation of the site and for the realization of the archaeological map of Lilybaeum.
Highlights
Investigation and preservation of archaeological resources request appropriate, preferably non-invasive, and flexibility methods which should be suited to detailed documentation, regardless of the site extension and shape complexity (Tscharf et al, 2015)
The high-accuracy data, needed to document the archaeological remains, can be provided in an efficient and low-cost manner using the new aerial acquisition systems based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) (Fernández-Hernandez et al, 2015)
The flights were performed on different days; the first UAV surveys were carried out in the areas of the Insulae and of the Decumanus maximus; the subsequent surveys were conducted on the archaeological area of “San Giovanni” and on the area of north-western fortifications and thermal baths
Summary
Investigation and preservation of archaeological resources request appropriate, preferably non-invasive, and flexibility methods which should be suited to detailed documentation, regardless of the site extension and shape complexity (Tscharf et al, 2015). From the acquisition phase to the analysis phase, have to be strictly linked to information required and documentation purposes, in order to treat this new technology as part of the archaeological interpretation Due to their high performances, UAV surveys give the opportunities to obtain different products, such as 3D models, Digital Surface Models (DSMs) and ortho-images very useful for archaeological study. The 2D and 3D data from UAV surveys become useful support, together with all previous documentation of the archaeological remains, for the creation of the archaeological map of Lylibaeum These georeferenced data enable a rigorous comparison of all archaeological features and serve as a background base to the production of new data (such as updated plans,...). In archaeology, where data have a dual nature, as they are distributed both in space and time, this means a collection of material to achieve a diachronic interpretation of the evolution of an area
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