Nicola Masini

Some examples of GPR prospecting for monitoring of the monumental heritage

In this paper three case histories of ground penetrating radar (GPR) for the monitoring of historical buildings are presented. They aim to present the specific valence of the GPR in the field of the diagnostic of historical buildings, which is a promising field of research, due to the increasing awareness of the relevance (even economic) of the cultural heritage. The presented GPR prospecting cases have been performed on three different constructive elements typical of historical buildings (a wall, a masonry pillar and a marble column) in order to be the answer to different problems such as the characterization of the masonry, the detection of cracks and the imaging of metallic reinforcement bars.

Identification of archaeological buried remains based on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from Quickbird satellite data

In this study, Quickbird normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data were used in order to assess their capability in the field of archaeological prospection. The investigations were performed for a test case (Jure Vetere in the south of Italy) that is characterized by the presence of dense vegetation mainly composed by herbaceous plants. The results showed the high capability of QuickBird NDVI to enhance the typical surface anomalies linked to the presence of archaeological buried remains. The detected anomalies were confirmed by independent investigations based on geophysical prospections performed in 2005

On the potential of QuickBird data for archaeological prospection

In this study, the potential and feasibility of the use of panchromatic and multispectral QuickBird data for the identification and spatial characterization of archaeological sites was evaluated. The analysis focused on an assessment of the capability of QuickBird images to detect surface anomalies expected in the presence of archaeological buried remains. The investigations were performed for a test case in the south of Italy, where human activity has been logged from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages. The results show that the QuickBird panchromatic and data fusion products can be a flexible data source for archaeological prospection, and can be useful for extracting features of archaeological sites prior to any excavation work and for increasing the cultural value of historical sites.

GPR and sonic tomography for structural restoration: the case of the cathedral of Tricarico

In this paper, we present the results of a diagnostics survey, based on the exploitation of ground penetrating radar (GPR) and sonic prospecting, to characterize the deterioration status of the pillars of the cathedral of Tricarico, in the Basilicata region (Southern Italy). The prospecting falls within the more general framework of investigating the structural conditions of this monument, which is affected by heavy instability problems. This study case points out the great effectiveness of the two employed diagnostic methods, when used in an integrated way, for detecting cracks and inhomogeneities in the inner structure of masonry building elements. With regard to GPR prospecting, a comparison is made between the results obtained by a standard processing and those obtained by means of an inverse scattering algorithm. For one of the investigated pillars, the results obtained from non-invasive tests are compared with those of direct inspection. This is performed by coring the pillar and examining both the core and the hole (the latter by means of an endoscope). The seismic investigation allowed us to prove the mediocre or bad state of conservation of the pillars.

On the LiDAR contribution for the archaeological and geomorphological study of a deserted medieval village in Southern Italy

Airborne laser scanning (ALS) is an optical measurement technique for obtaining high-precision information about the Earths surface including basic terrain mapping (digital terrain model, bathymetry, corridor mapping), vegetation cover (forest assessment and inventory) and coastal and urban areas. Recent studies examined the possibility of using ALS in archaeological investigations to identify earthworks, although the ability of ALS measurements in this context has not yet been studied in detail. This paper focuses on the potential of the latest generation of airborne ALS for the detection and the spatial characterization of micro-topographic relief linked to archaeological and geomorphological features. The investigations were carried out near Monteserico, an archaeological area in the Basilicata region (Southern Italy) which is characterized by complex topographical and morphological features. The study emphasizes that the DTM-LiDAR data are a powerful instrument for detecting surface discontinuities relevant for investigating geomorphological processes and cultural features. The LiDAR survey allowed us to identify the urban shape of a medieval village, by capturing the small differences in height produced by surface and shallow archaeological remains (the so-called shadow marks) which were not visible from ground or from optical dataset. In this way, surface reliefs and small elevation changes, linked to geomorphological and archaeological features, have been surveyed with great detail.

Satellite-based recognition of landscape archaeological features related to ancient human transformation

This paper deals with the use of QuickBird images for the identification of features linked to ancient transformations, the landscape induced by human activities. The methodological approach adopted for the identification of these features is mainly based on the use of data fusion and edge detection. The data fusion enabled the integration of the high spatial resolution of the panchromatic image with the spectral capability of multispectral images, thus allowing us to achieve improved capabilities that are not possible solely using the individual datasets. The use of edge detection enhanced the spatial feature, thus facilitating their identification. The investigation was performed on Metaponto, one of the most important archaeological sites in the south of Italy. The analysis focused on the identification of ancient land divisions related to the Greek colonization age. The obtained results showed that the use of QuickBird images enables the detection of the archaeological features linked to buried remains with a high level of detail.

Image Enhancement, Feature Extraction and Geospatial Analysis in an Archaeological Perspective

The goal of image processing for archaeological applications is to enhance spatial patterns and/or local anomalies linked to ancient human activities and traces of palaeo-environments still fossilized in the modern landscape. In order to make the satellite data more meaningful for archaeologists and more exploitable for investigations, reliable data processing may be carried out. Over the years a great variety of digital image enhancement techniques have been devised for specific application fields according to data availability. Nevertheless, only recently these methods have captured great attention also in the field of archaeology for an easier extraction of quantitative information using effective and reliable semiautomatic data processing. The setting up of fully-automatic methodologies is a big challenge to be strategically addressed by research communities in the next years.

Satellite Remote Sensing

This book provides a state-of-the art overview of satellite archaeology and it is an invaluable volume for archaeologists, scientists, and managers interested in using satellite Earth Observation (EO) to improve the traditional approach for archaeological investigation, protection and management of Cultural Heritage. The recent increasing development of EO techniques and the tremendous advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have resulted primarily in Cultural Heritage applications. The book focuses on new challenging prospects for the use of EO in archaeology not only for probing the subsurface to unveil sites and artifacts, but also for the management and valorization as well as for the monitoring and preservation of cultural resources. The book provides a first-class understanding of this revolutionary scenario which was unthinkable several years ago. The book offers: (i) an excellent collection of outstanding articles focusing on satellite data processing, analysis and interpretation for archaeological applications, (ii) impressive case studies, (iii) striking examples of the high potential of the integration of multi-temporal, multi-scale, multi-sensors techniques. Each chapter is composed as an authoritative contribution to help the reader grasp the value of its content. The authors are renowned experts from the international scientific community. Audience: This book will be of interest to scientists in remote sensing applied to archeology, geoarcheology, paleo-environment, paleo-climate and cultural heritage.

Satellite-Based Monitoring of Archaeological Looting in Peru

Illegal excavations represent one of the main risk factors which affect the archaeological heritage all over the world, in particular in those countries, from Southern America to Middle East, where the surveillance on site is little effective and time consuming and the aerial surveillance is non practicable due to military or political restrictions. In such contexts satellite remote sensing offers a suitable chance to monitor this phenomenon. The chapter deals with the results obtained on some areas of Cahuachi (Peru) by using a time series of very high resolution satellite images. The rate of success in detecting changes related to archaeological looting has been fruitfully improved by adopting a semiautomatic approach based on spatial autocorrelation.

Multi-frequency satellite radar imaging of cultural heritage: the case studies of the Yumen Frontier Pass and Niya ruins in the Western Regions of the Silk Road Corridor

ABSTRACT Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing is increasingly favoured in archaeological applications. However, the effectiveness of this technology for archaeological prospection has so far not been fully assessed. In this study, an integrated single-date and multi-temporal SAR data-processing chain was proposed to sharpen archaeological signs and hence their detection and monitoring. In total, 14 scenes of X-band Cosmo-SkyMed, C-band Sentinel-1 and L-band PALSAR data covering the Western Regions of the Silk Road Corridor in China were employed for two important archaeological sites including the Yumen Frontier Pass with emerging archaeological traces and Niya ruins with subsurface remains. The results pointed out that single-date satellite radar data were useful for the identification of subsurface traces buried under desert in the landscape-scale, whereas for the identification of emerging monuments, Sentinel-1 was limited by its lower spatial resolution compared to TerraSAR and PALSAR data. Multi-date products, such as interferometric coherence, the averaged radar signatures and RGB multi-temporal composites, were effective to sharpen archaeological traces as well as for change detection in Yumen Frontier Pass. This study presents a pilot assessment of satellite SAR data for the analysis and monitoring of archaeological features in the predominantly arid-sandy environmental characteristic of investigated sites.