Integrating Geophysical and Photographic Data to Visualize the Quarried Structures of the Roman Town of Bassianae (original) (raw)
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Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Cultural Heritage and New Technologies 2017. CHNT 22, 2017, 2019
The "From Aquileia to Singidunum: reconstructing the paths of the Roman travellers-RecRoad" project was developed at Université Bordeaux, Montaigne in collaboration with the Sremska Mitrovica Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments. Its main goal was to detect and map the Roman thoroughfare connecting the Roman cities of Aquileia (Aquileia, Italy) and Singidunum (Belgrade, Serbia) using different sources and methods, including Sentinel-2 multispectral images, historical maps and surface survey results. This paper focuses on the methodologies applied to identify buried archaeological features and on the results obtained combining data coming from different kind of sources in the Pusta Dreispitz site (Vojvodina, Serbia): in this area, a multi-layered archaeological site was identified through remote sensing analysis, while its chronological framing was determined thanks the surface surveys on the ground. The pottery fragments collected show a time-span going from proto-history to the Roman period as well as recent findings from the 18-19th centuries, confirming once more the necessity of integrating remote-sensing and digital techniques with field research and verification. The project provides a first useful test-bed for Sentinel-2A images in archaeology for detecting the presence of buried archaeological sites and remains of Roman roads, with remarkable results in the Srem district (Serbia). The research workflow integrates remote sensing analysis with the interpretation of historical maps, namely the Josephinische Landesaufnahme (1763-1787), the Franziszeische Landesaufnahme (1808-1869), the Franzisco-Josephinische Landesaufnahme (1869-1887) and the Spezialkarte der Osterreichisch-Ungarischen Monarchie (1877-1914). The historical maps are geo-referenced and overlain on the satellite images within a GIS platform to interpret the anomalies detected in the Sentinel-2A images. Finally, a surface survey is performed to check the actual presence of the Roman road traces and of other buried sites.
Ongoing and extensive urbanization may threaten important archaeological structures that are still buried in the urban areas. Ground Penetrating Radar method is the most promising alternative for resolving buried archaeological structures in urban territories. In this paper a case study that involves a geophysical survey employing the surface threedimensional (3D) GPR techniques, in order to archaeologically characterize the investigated areas. The last ones are located in the south-western sector of the historical centre of Lecce (Apulia, Italy), where the modern city overlaps the main public monuments of the Roman municipium of Lupiae, only partially preserved or excavated: the amphitheatre, the theatre, the baths and maybe also the Forum. GPR measurements, integrated with the results of archaeological excavations and the topographical surveys of the preserved remains, were carried out in several areas regarding sectors of the ancient roman city. The GPR data were collected along a dense network of parallel profiles. The GPR sections were processed applying specific filters to the data in order to enhance their information content. The GPR images significantly contributed in reconstructing the complex subsurface properties in these modern urban areas. Strong GPR reflections anomalies were correlated with possible ancient structures and they were integrated in the digital archaeological map of the city.
Simultaneous with ongoing archaeological excavations of the Roman town site of Ammaia in South-Central Portugal, a group of researchers acting within the EC funded project " Radiography of the Past (Radio-Pastě " , have during the past two years, achieved a full coverage geophysical survey of the intra-mural part and large tracts of the extramural areas of this abandoned ancient city in Lusitania. Using a wide array of instruments, for prospections with GPR, earth resistance and magnetometers, this approach allowed an in depth analysis of an abandoned Roman centre, linking the excellent survey data with stratigraphic information, obtained via earlier excavations and via focused ground truthing operations, including small trenching and augering. Together with data from remote sensing and fine DGPS surveys this now allows to study the urbanism of a very systematically and ex novo built Romano-Lusitanian town. Part of the field project also leads to a tentative reconstruction of many aspects of the urban pattern and structures, providing a unique high resolution survey-based approach to visualising ancient cities. This paper presents aspects of integrated methodology of survey, high resolution mapping results and discusses the process of visualisation of the site in Roman times. The project Ammaia: the framework As recent research is more and more proving (CAMPANA and PIRO 2009; CORSI and VERMEULEN 2010; VERMEULEN et al. 2012; MILLETT and JOHNSON forthcoming), the integrated approach, merging traditional instruments of research like surface artefacts collection, aerial photography interpretation, topographical survey and excavations, with up-to-date techniques of geophysical and geomorphological survey, is disclosing new perspectives in our knowledge of complex (still buried) archaeological sites. In most cases, this synergy allows the production of a 2D map of the site, where excavated evidence can be paralleled with buried structures detected via the interpretation of the geophysical survey and/or aerial photography coverage. Three-dimensional perspective can be achieved with the integration of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data, corings, test pits, ground-truthing excavations and production of Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), while the overlap with the processing of the finds collected on the surface can enlighten some aspects of chronological occupation and evolution of the site. These peculiar aspects of studying and visualizing deserted archaeological sites are the core objectives of an EU funded project, the
2013
Paper focused on the first results of a joint geo-archaeological research project of urban archeology in the ancient Roman city of Dürres. Starting from the reading of the historical evidence and interpretation of archival records (i.e. aerial photos related to the twenties, thirties and forties years of last century, before the urban transformations between the two World Wars and later, and satellite images of the sixties and recent years) the research proposes to develop targeted investigations with the integrated use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method and image processing techniques of contemporary photographs in order to locate a late Roman villa. All the information provided by aerial and GPR analysis as well as literature references constituted the basis for attempting a virtual reconstruction of the lost Roman's villa in order to give the visual idea of how it probably was. Accordingly to London and Seville Charter principles, different levels of reliability in data interpretation have been identified and characterized aiming at making transparent the methodological choices and the accuracy of reconstruction undertaken.
Archaeological Prospection, 2022
The article presents the results of archaeological prospection of site Dračevica (Donji Radišici, Ljubuški municipality, West Herzegovina Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina) which was partly excavated in the late 19th century and so far has been interpreted as a Roman villa, possibly with a special function (road station) and a name attested in ancient sources (Bigeste). Through the use of various nondestructive prospecting methods (aerial photogrammetry, fieldwalking survey, magnetic susceptibility, magnetometry, earth resistance), precise location with RTK GNSS and integration of the data in GIS, the site was restudied and reinterpreted. It was established that the structures are not isolated, as was assumed in the earlier research but rather were a part of a much larger Roman settlement. The research proves that the internal spatial division of the site is more complicated than previously thought, consisting of several building complexes located along a road, as well as land division systems. Such settlement pattern suggests similar, average-sized land plots and farms. The importance of the research lies also in the methodological approach and the outcome of the geophysical research. Our research was the first application of nondestructive methods of archaeological prospection on Roman sites in the karst landscapes of West Herzegovina, proving the usefulness of the applied methodology in these specific and difficult conditions. We have found dependencies in between the geological background (thin layer of low resistive, colluvial soil on shallow limestone bedrock and the occurrence of highly magnetic terra rossa, formed on weathered limestone) and the geophysical responses registered by various instruments, that is, moderate to good magnetic and electric contrasts between the features and their surroundings, with relatively strong anomalies from geological features. The most important was finding relationships between particular magnetic and electrical anomalies and the presence of very shallow bedrock or faint archaeological remains (e.g. limestone walls). Our methodology, as well as some of our interpretations, will be helpful as a reference for further surveys in the region.
With the dual purpose of extending knowledge about the archaeological site of San Rossore and of assisting archaeologists in the recovery process of the ships, geophysical surveys integrated with remote sensing analyses were performed. The surveys were conducted at selected locations, placed on the plan of excavation (approximately 5 m above the ancient surface) and near the archaeological excavation area. Passive (Self Potentials) and active (Induced Polarization) electrical methods were used. The choice of geophysical methods was due to the peculiarity of the geological characteristics of the site. In fact, the sediments embodying the archaeological remains are mainly silts and silty sands, which are moderately conductive. Furthermore, a shallow groundwater hosted in the alluvial deposits (at approximately 2 m below the surface plane) is present in the site.
Archaeological Prospection, 2018
The medieval fortification of Mașloc, known as the 'Șanțul Turcilor' (Turkish ditch) is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in the Banat region, Romania. To reconstruct the subsurface archaeological features at the Mașloc site we combined three different geophysical methods: magnetometry, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and we used SfM (structure-from-motion) to achieve a detailed digital elevation model and an orthophoto mosaic also. Six hectares were investigated by magnetometry in order to define the basic outline of the medieval settlement, which gradually developed around the fortification. Several GPR and ERT profiles were constructed over the ramparts and ditches of the fortification to determine their extent and the internal structure of the ramparts, ditches and the houses within. The interpretation of these profiles shows for the first time the existence of a second ditch around the fortification: this is not visible in the field. The geophysical mapping precisely identifies the dwellings within the site, which shows the spatial organization of the village. Houses were developed along its main street, oriented northeast-southwest (NE-SW), which were constructed using well-established rules and must have been planned by a local administration. Such organization demonstrates the importance of the village in medieval times, due probably to its location near to the road between two important towns: Timișoara and Lipova. The geophysical results now allow us to associate this settlement with the lost Machalaka, an important village mentioned in the medieval documents. The geophysical investigation demonstrates how this method can delineate village boundaries and the planimetry of internal archaeological features.
Non destructive archaeological diagnostics in the suburbium of a Roman town
Measurement, 2018
Ammaia is a deserted Roman town located in the region of Alto Alentejo, in Portugal, included in the ancient province of Lusitania. In recent years, a series of non-destructive archaeological diagnostics have been carried out in the framework of the European Union (EU) funded project Radio-Past, in the supposed intra-mural area of the ancient town and its immediate surroundings. As part of a validation procedure of innovative integrated archaeological survey methods, 'total coverage' geophysical prospections have been performed inside the Roman town, testing integration between several non-destructive archeological methods. Each methodology is constrained by specific limits, mainly related to geomorphological and geological assets, soil matrix, environmental conditions and pollutions, producing inaccuracies in the results of the archaeological interpretation. For these reasons, the scientific community is increasingly seeking technological solutions that make use of the integration of data acquired with multiple non-destructive techniques. In this paper, we will present the results achieved thanks to the integration of some of these approaches for the investigation of a selected suburban area of Ammaia. The novelty of the followed approach lies in the diversification and integration of the applied methodologies, and in the complexity of the scientific questionnaire, not focused only on mapping, but rather on the understanding of the spatial phenomena. The interpretation of the magnetic surveys and surface artefact collection are discussed with respect to the main results and to data-integration strategies. The historical interpretation of these data will reveal a highly detailed plan of the layout, most important monuments and infrastructures of the town, and will disclose crucial aspects of a humanized landscape of Roman times.
The paper presents results of a geophysical survey conducted in Crikvenica, a town located at the northeastern Adriatic Sea coast in Croatia. The main aim was to identify extent of a Roman pottery workshop discovered to the north of the present town, at the site known as " Igralište ". The performed magnetic and GPR surveys within the area of the modern playground in Crikvenica revealed a large number of anomalies that may be connected with anthropogenic activity during different periods, both in modern and ancient times. The first group consists of anomalies generated by remnants of the modern underground infrastructure. Magnetic and ground-penetrating radar maps revealed anomalies in the northwestern part of the modern playground that can be very likely interpreted as remains of a large ceramic kiln dated back to the Roman Period, similar to the kiln discovered during the excavations located further to the north. Finally, the survey performed within the Crikvenica football stadium clearly indicates that the integration of different Ground Penetrating Radar and magnetic methods allows for a detailed and effective identification of buried archaeological structures in large areas.