Presence Of Buried Structures Research Articles

Effects of Anthropic and Ambient Vibrations on Archaeological Sites: The Case of the Circus Maximus in Rome

The vibration effects on the Torre della Moletta and the ruins of the Circus Maximus in Rome are analyzed in the framework of a preservation effort of this archaeological area. Thanks to its exceptional size, the Circus hosts many social events with large audience (pop-music, opera concerts, sport celebrations, etc.) every year, thus taking the structures under high anthropic and environmental stress. Recordings were completed before, during, and after the concert of a famous band, on 7 September 2019. Data were analyzed, both in time and frequency domains. The experimental dynamic recordings were coupled with a surface waves test and single-station ambient vibration recordings, which were useful for the geotechnical characterization of the soil. The results pointed out the differences in amplitudes but also in terms of frequency content of the recorded velocities during the concert with respect to before and after it. The maximum velocities recorded at various locations were almost similar to the limit values suggested by codes. The dynamic behavior of the ground and the structures is influenced by the presence of buried structures.

Correlation among Earthwork and Cropmark Anomalies within Archaeological Landscape Investigation by Using LiDAR and Multispectral Technologies from UAV

This project aimed to systematically investigate the archaeological remains of the imperial Domitian villa in Sabaudia (Italy), using different three-dimensional survey techniques. Particular attention in the research was paid to the identification and documentation of traces that buried structures left on the surface occupied by the villa, which extended for 46 hectares, an area that was fully covered with structures. Since a dense pine forest was planted during the 1940s and is currently covering the site, this contribution investigates particularly the correlation among the presence of cropmarks, identifiable with the processing of multispectral maps and vegetation indices from RGB images, and earthwork anomalies identified in a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) built, by utilizing a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) flight from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The study demonstrates how the use of vegetation maps—calculated starting from RGB and multispectral aerial photos—can provide a more expeditious preliminary analysis on the position and extension of areas characterized by the presence of buried structures, but also that, in order to investigate in-depth a context in similar conditions, the most effective approach remains the one based on LiDAR technology. The integration between the two techniques may prove fruitful in limiting the extension of the areas to be investigated with terrestrial survey techniques.

Reconstruction of a Mediterranean coast archaeological site by integration of geophysical and archaeological data: The eastern district of the ancient city of Nora (Sardinia, Italy)

The archaeological site of Nora is built on a large peninsula that marks the Gulf of Cagliari (Sardinia island, Italy) at its southernmost part. As for most of the ancient coastal cities, the study of Nora is rather complex because of the partial (or complete) burial or submergence of the archaeological remains and their degradation induced by the progressive seawater entry. In recent years, an extensive multi-disciplinary research project, which involves disciplines varying from archeology to earth sciences, has started. In particular, in this paper the results of a high-resolution multi-methodological geophysical prospecting focused on the coastal area between land and sea, not considered in previous urban and marine archaeological researches, are reported and integrated with new archaeological data. The interpretation of the geophysical anomalies is well supported by the results of an archaeological excavation in the north-western sector of the survey area and suggests, in the eastern (not excavated) sector, the presence of buried structures that could lead to redraw the urban settlement of the area, with housing blocks connected by paved open spaces. Furthermore, the geophysical survey clearly identifies the sharp lowering of the andesitic bedrock from the foot of the Coltellazzo hill to the west, offering fundamental data to reconstruct the paleo-environmental landscape of the ancient settlement.

An Objective Assessment of Hyperspectral Indicators for the Detection of Buried Archaeological Relics

Hyperspectral images can highlight crop marks in vegetated areas, which may indicate the presence of underground buried structures, by exploiting the spectral information conveyed in reflected solar radiation. In recent years, different vegetation indices and several other image features have been used, with varying success, to improve the interpretation of remotely sensed images for archaeological research. However, it is difficult to assess the derived maps quantitatively and select the most meaningful one for a given task, in particular for a non-specialist in image processing. This paper estimates for the first time objectively the suitability of maps derived from spectral features for the detection of buried archaeological structures in vegetated areas based on information theory. This is achieved by computing the statistical dependence between the extracted features and a digital map indicating the presence of buried structures using information theoretical notions. Based on the obtained scores on known targets, the features can be ranked and the most suitable can be chosen to aid in the discovery of previously undetected crop marks in the area under similar conditions. Three case studies are reported: the Roman buried remains of Carnuntum (Austria), the underground structures of Selinunte in the South of Italy, and the buried street relics of Pherai (Velestino) in central Greece.

Buried archeological remains connected to the Greek-Roman harbor at Tindari (north-east Sicily): results from geomorphological and geophysical investigations

<span style="font-size: small;"><p>In recent years, detailed geoarcheological investigations have been carried out to search for traces of the ancient Tindari harbor (north-east Sicily, Italy). A digital terrain model supported the hypothesis that 2,000 yr ago the Oliveri Basin was a suitable landing place that was protected from prevailing winds. This model was generated from uplift data, sea level changes, historical cartographic data and three-dimensional reconstruction of the sedimentary succession of the cover. The present position of some historical buildings represent an archeological marker of the shoreline progression. Recent excavations during the construction of the Messina-to-Palermo motorway brought to light some portions of an ancient archeological complex. The thickness of the walls and the volume of the collected archeological material suggests dating between the 1st century BC and the 4th century AD. After that time, heavy environmental changes due to human activities in the area led to inaccurate underestimation of the role of Tindari harbor in the past. A geophysical investigation was carried out in the area surrounding the archeological complex to search for new buried structures related to the ancient settlement, and to be open to any results of the paleotopographic reconstruction of the area. The applied geophysical techniques included passive seismic and ground-penetrating radar. This survey indicates the presence of buried structures, such as walls and floors, that probably belong to a Roman villa. Furthermore, it defines the depth of the Holocene sedimentary cover of the Oliveri coastal plain, which strengthens the hypothesis formulated for its morphological evolution.</p></span>

Formation of accretionary prisms influenced by sediment subduction and supplied by sediments from adjacent continents

Mechanical models are used to investigate the formation of accretionary prisms and related basins fed by sediments supplied from adjacent continents and subjected to sediment subduction. Results show that prisms forming under the infl uence of a hinterland sediment fl ux exhibit markedly different characteristics compared to classic critical wedges with identical mechanical properties forming by frontal accretion of a preexisting layer. The main differences are reduced surface slopes, increased spacing between thrusts, widespread wedgetop basins, and the presence of buried structures. These differences are explained by the ability of continuous sedimentation to reduce differential stresses in the wedge, leading to stable (supercritical) geometries. Thus, in regions of active sedimentation, wedge geometries cannot be explained solely in terms of relative strengths of the wedge and its decollement, as is the case for critical wedges. Results also show that variations in the relative rates of sediment supply (e.g., linked to climate changes) and sediment subduction may lead to pulsed growth and decline of wedges though time, as has been evidenced for some natural wedges. Thus, rather than viewing compressive plate margins as accretionary versus erosive, the dominant mode may repeatedly switch back and forth through time in response to variations in relative rates of sediment supply and sediment subduction.