Knowledge transfer through the ATHENA Twinning project: Remote sensing for cultural heritage (original) (raw)
Related papers
2018
This paper presents some of the outcomes of an on-going Horizon 2020 Twinning project, under the acronym ATHENA. The project aims to establish a “Remote Sensing Science Center for Cultural Heritage” in Cyprus. The Center foresees to support the current Cultural Heritage (CH) needs through the systematic exploitation of Earth Observation technologies. For the establishment of the center, the existing Remote Sensing and Geo-Environment Research Laboratory of the Eratosthenes Research Center (ERC) based at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), is twinned with internationally-leading counterparts from the EU, the National Research Council of Italy (CNR, through IMAA and IBAM) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). Through this network, the ATHENA twinning project strengthens the remote sensing capacity in cultural heritage at CUT’s ERC. A core element within ATHENA is knowledge transfer, achieved primarily through intense training activities (including virtual training courses, wor...
Remote sensing archaeology knowledge transfer: examples from the ATHENA twinning project
Remote Sensing Technologies and Applications in Urban Environments III, 2018
ATHENA is an ongoing Horizon 2020 Twinning project aiming to promote remote sensing technologies for cultural heritage (CH) applications in Cyprus. ATHENA project brings together the Eratosthenes Research Center (ERC) of the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) with two internationally leading institutions of Europe, namely the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). The project's scope is to position the ERC regionally and stimulate future cooperation through placements at partner institutions and enhance the research and academic profile of all participants. The scientific strengthening and networking achieved through the ATHENA project could be of great benefit not only for Cyprus but for the entire Eastern Mediterranean, bearing a plethora of archaeological sites and monuments urgently calling for monitoring and safeguarding. The preservation of CH and landscape comprises a strategic priority not only to guarantee cultural treasures and evidence of the human past to future generations, but also to exploit them as a strategic and valuable economic asset. The objective of this paper is to present knowledge transfer examples achieved from the ATHENA project through intense training activities. These activities were also designed to enhance the scientific profile of the research staff and to accelerate the development of research capabilities of the ERC. At the same time the results from the training activities were also exploited to promote earth observation knowledge and best practices intended for CH. The activities included active and passive remote sensing data used for archaeological applications, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image analysis for change and deformation detection, monitoring of risk factors related to cultural heritage sites including archaeological looting etc.
ATHENA: Remote Sensing Science Center for Cultural Heritage in Cyprus
2016
The Cultural Heritage (CH) sector, especially those of monuments and sites has always been facing a number of challenges from environmental pressure, pollution, human intervention from tourism to destruction by terrorism.Within this context, CH professionals are seeking to improve currently used methodologies, in order to better understand, protect and valorise the common European past and common identity. "ATHENA" H2020-TWINN-2015 project will seek to improve and expand the capabilities of the Cyprus University of Technology, involving professionals dealing with remote sensing technologies for supporting CH sector from the National Research Center of Italy (CNR) and German Aerospace Centre (DLR). The ATHENA centre will be devoted to the development, introduction and systematic use of advanced remote sensing science and technologies in the field of archaeology, built cultural heritage, their multi-temporal analysis and interpretation and the distant monitoring of their natural and anthropogenic environment in the area of Eastern Mediterranean.
GEOBIA 2016 : Solutions and Synergies, 2016
In periods of economic instability, national considerations are overruling the process of European integration. Cultural Heritage (CH) is an integral element of a European set of values, and respect for heritage is vital for developing a common European identity. The CH sector has always been facing a number of challenges that have increased with the financial crisis that has hit Europe. To name a few, these include the decrease of public budgets, urbanisation, globalisation, and technological changes. Within this context, CH professionals are seeking to improve currently used methodologies, in order to better understand, protect and valorise the common European past and common identity. The use of satellite and other remote sensing (RS) technologies has progressively been established in the field of environmental monitoring. In the domain of CH and landscape monitoring and in particular with regards to archaeological sites, these technologies have made a significant contribution to research and analysis over the past few decades. The potential use of RS for the understanding, documenting, monitoring and valorization of CH has long been recognised not only by RS experts and archaeologists, but also by the public authorities involved in heritage management, that suggested an increasing use of non-invasive technologies (Valletta Convention, 1992).
The ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (ECoE) as a digital innovation hub for Earth observation
2020
The "EXCELSIOR" H2020 Widespread Teaming Phase 2 Project: ERATOSTHENES: EXcellence Research Centre for Earth SurveiLlance and Space-Based MonItoring Of the EnviRonment is supported from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 857510 for a 7 year project period to establish a Centre of Excellence in Cyprus. As well, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus is providing additional resources to support the establishment of the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (ECoE) in Cyprus. The ECoE seeks to fill the gap by assisting in the spaceborne Earth Observation activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and become a regional key player in the Earth Observation (EO) sector. There are distinct needs and opportunities that motivate the establishment of an Earth Observation Centre of Excellence in Cyprus, which are primarily related to the geostrategic location of the European Union member state of Cyprus to examine complex scientific...
Educational activities of remote sensing archaeology (Conference Presentation)
Earth Resources and Environmental Remote Sensing/GIS Applications VII, 2016
Remote sensing science is increasingly being used to support archaeological and cultural heritage research in various ways. Satellite sensors either passive or active are currently used in a systematic basis to detect buried archaeological remains and to systematic monitor tangible heritage. In addition, airborne and low altitude systems are being used for documentation purposes. Ground surveys using remote sensing tools such as spectroradiometers and ground penetrating radars can detect variations of vegetation and soil respectively, which are linked to the presence of underground archaeological features. Education activities and training of remote sensing archaeology to young people is characterized of highly importance. Specific remote sensing tools relevant for archaeological research can be developed including web tools, small libraries, interactive learning games etc. These tools can be then combined and aligned with archaeology and cultural heritage. This can be achieved by presenting historical and pre-historical records, excavated sites or even artifacts under a "remote sensing" approach. Using such non-form educational approach, the students can be involved, ask, read, and seek to learn more about remote sensing and of course to learn about history. The paper aims to present a modern didactical concept and some examples of practical implementation of remote sensing archaeology in secondary schools in Cyprus. The idea was built upon an ongoing project (ATHENA) focused on the sue of remote sensing for archaeological research in Cyprus. Through H2020 ATHENA project, the Remote Sensing Science and Geo-Environment Research Laboratory at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), with the support of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) aims to enhance its performance in all these new technologies.
Education in Aerial Remote Sensing for Archaeology
Education in Aerial Remote Sensing for Archaeology
AARG Occasional Publication Series No 1 was published in April 2009. It focuses on Education in Aerial Remote Sensing for Archaeology and includes the draft report of the AARG/EAC Working Group on Education, which is available for comment until the end of July 2009. The publication also has papers on the general theme of education that should be of interest to many.
Actas del Primer Congreso Internacional de Buenas Prácticas en Patrimonio Mundial: Arqueología. Mahón, Menorca, Islas Baleares, España 9-13 de abril de 2012, 2012
Over the past 60-plus years archaeological air photography has brought to light more previously unknown he- ritage sites than any other method of exploration. It has been joined now by satellite imagery, airborne laser scanning and a variety of other survey techniques known jointly as ‚remote sensing‘, since they explore what is beneath the earth or ocean without disturbing its surface or damaging what lies below. All these techniques are now essential tools not only for archaeological research but also for Cultural Heritage Management as they provide affordable ways to find, document and to monitor archaeological sites as well as large landscapes with their archaeological and historical heritage. To foster the cooperation between archaeological institutions in the field of modern surveying techniques the EU has started to support the large European network ArchaeoLandscapes Europe (ArcLand) under the frame- work of the Culture 2007–2013 programme (CU7-MULT7 Agreement Number 2010-1486 / 001-001). It is the aim of this project to support any kind of collaboration that enhances public awareness and dissemination of challenging skills in aerial and remote sensing techniques. So far, 50 partner institutions from 27 countries work together to create a self-supporting network of expertise and to disseminate the methods and techniques of mo- dern archaeological surveying to institutions that are involved in archaeological research, cultural heritage management and to the general public.