scholarly journals COSMO-SkyMed SAR for Detection and Monitoring of Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Sites

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deodato Tapete ◽  
Francesca Cigna
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Cultural Landscapes ◽  
Research Unit ◽  
Use Cases ◽  
Archaeological Heritage ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Sar Imagery

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery has long been used in archaeology since the earliest space radar missions in the 1980s. In the current scenario of SAR missions, the Italian Space Agency (ASI)’s COnstellation of small Satellites for Mediterranean basin Observation (COSMO-SkyMed) has peculiar properties that make this mission of potential use by archaeologists and heritage practitioners: high to very high spatial resolution, site revisit of up to one day, and conspicuous image archives over cultural heritage sites across the globe. While recent literature and the number of research projects using COSMO-SkyMed data for science and applied research suggest a growing interest in these data, it is felt that COSMO-SkyMed still needs to be further disseminated across the archaeological remote sensing community. This paper therefore offers a portfolio of use-cases that were developed in the last two years in the Scientific Research Unit of ASI, where COSMO-SkyMed data were analysed to study and monitor cultural landscapes and heritage sites. SAR-based applications in archaeological and cultural heritage sites in Peru, Syria, Italy, and Iraq, provide evidence on how subsurface and buried features can be detected by interpreting SAR backscatter, its spatial and temporal changes, and interferometric coherence, and how SAR-derived digital elevation models (DEM) can be used to survey surface archaeological features. The use-cases also showcase how high temporal revisit SAR time series can support environmental monitoring of land surface processes, and condition assessment of archaeological heritage and landscape disturbance due to anthropogenic impact (e.g., agriculture, mining, looting). For the first time, this paper provides an overview of the capabilities of COSMO-SkyMed imagery in StripMap Himage and Spotlight-2 mode to support archaeological studies, with the aim to encourage remote sensing scientists and archaeologists to search for and exploit these data for their investigations and research activities. Furthermore, some considerations are made with regard to the perspectives opened by the upcoming launch of ASI’s COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation constellation.

SpaCeborne SAR Interferometry as a Noninvasive tool to assess the vulnerability over Cultural hEritage sites (SCIENCE)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasia-Maria Tompolidi ◽  
Issaak Parcharidis ◽  
Constantinos Loupasakis ◽  
Michalis Fragkiadakis ◽  
Pantelis Soupios ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Ming Dynasty ◽  
Ground Deformation ◽  
Sar Interferometry ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Science Project ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Persistent Scatterers ◽  
Great Wall

<p>Cultural heritage is a key element of history as the ancient monuments and archaeological sites enrich today’s societies and help connect us to our cultural origins. The project entitled ''SpaCeborne SAR Interferometry as a Nonivasive tool to assess the vulnerability over Cultural hEritage sites (SCIENCE)'' has as ultimate objective to predict the vulnerability of the archaeological sites to ground deformation in time and space and protect them against natural/man-made damage. The SCIENCE project aims to develop, demonstrate, and validate, in terms of geotechnical local conditions and monuments’ structural health, SAR interferometric techniques to monitor potential ground deformation affecting the archaeological sites and monuments of great importance. </p><p>During the last few years, spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry has proven to be a powerful remote sensing tool for detecting and measuring ground deformation and studying the deformation’s impact on man-made structures. It provides centimeter to millimeter resolution and even single buildings/monuments can be mapped from space. Considering the limitations of conventional MT-InSAR techniques, such as Persistent Scatterers Interferometry (PSI), in this project a two-step Tomography-based Persistent Scatterers (PS) Interferometry (Tomo-PSInSAR) approach is proposed for monitoring ground deformation and structural instabilities over the Ancient City Walls (Ming Dynasty) in Nanjing city, China and in the Great Wall in Zhangjiakou, China. The Tomo-PSInSAR is capable of separating overlaid PS in the same location, minimizing the unfavorable layover effects of slant-range imaging in SAR data. Moreover, the demonstrations are performed on well-known test sites in China and in Greece, such as: a) Ming Dynasty City Walls in Nanjing, b) Great Wall in Zhangjiakou, c) Acropolis complex of Athens and d) Heraklion walls (Crete Island), respectively.</p><p>In particular, in the framework of SCIENCE project are processed several radar datasets such as Sentinel 1 A & B data of Copernicus program and the high resolution TerraSAR-X data. The products of Persistent Scatterers Interferometry (PSI) are exported in various formats for the identification of the persistent scatterers using high resolution optical images, aerial photographs and fusing with high accuracy Digital Surface Models (DSM). In addition, the validation of the results is taking place through in-situ measurements (geological, geothechnical e.t.c) and data for the cultural heritage sites conditions.</p><p>SCIENCE project’s final goal is the risk assessment analysis of the cultural heritage monuments and their surrounding areas aiming to benefit institutions, organizations, stakeholders and private agencies in the cultural heritage domain through the creation of a validated pre-operation non-invasive system and service based on earth observation data supporting end-user needs by the provision knowledge about cultural heritage protection. In conclusion, SCIENCE project is composed by a bilateral consortium of the Greek delegation of Harokopio University of Athens, National Technical University of Athens, Terra Spatium S.A, Ephorate of Antiquities of Heraklion (Crete), Acropolis Restoration Service (Athens) of Ministry of Culture and Sports and by the Chinese delegation of Science Academy of China (Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth) and  International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST) under the auspices of UNESCO (HIST-UNESCO).</p>

Omnidirectional Strategies for Exploring Ancient Cities and Territories

2020 ◽  
pp. 185-206
Author(s):  
Sarah Kenderdine
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Cultural Landscapes ◽  
Geographic Information Science ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Embodied Interaction ◽  
Spatial Turn ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
New Approaches

By focusing on technologies of virtual reality in conjunction with theories of “place” and “presence,” this chapter outlines the importance of new approaches to the museological experience and exploration of ancient cities and cultural heritage sites. Exploring fresh approaches to telling historic narratives through embodied interaction, this discussion proceeds to explore post-cartographic and “deep mapping” representations of cultural landscapes through omnidirectional virtual reality. Bodily engagements with virtually rendered places as a form of corporeal cartography references not only the changing nature of the concept of place but also the rise of contemporary post-cartographic frameworks for considering how the act of mapping actively engages with place. The “spatial turn” within the humanities demands that we extend our conceptions of mapping and cartography beyond the positive epistemologies of geographic information science and this chapter explores a series of frameworks for new explorations.

Management of Cultural Heritage Sites Using Remote Sensing Indices and Spatial Analysis Techniques

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1347-1377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelaziz Elfadaly ◽  
Wael Attia ◽  
Mohamad Molaei Qelichi ◽  
Beniamino Murgante ◽  
Rosa Lasaponara
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Spatial Analysis ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Remote Sensing Indices

scholarly journals INTEGRATION OF GEOMATICS TECHNIQUES FOR DIGITIZING HIGHLY RELEVANT GEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES: THE CASE OF SAN LEO (ITALY)

2017 ◽  
Vol XLII-2/W5 ◽  
pp. 281-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. A. Girelli ◽  
L. Borgatti ◽  
M. Dellapasqua ◽  
E. Mandanici ◽  
M. C. Spreafico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Laser Scanner ◽  
Terrestrial Laser Scanner ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Dense Point ◽  
Geometrical Information ◽  
Historical Heritage ◽  
The Town

The research activities described in this contribution were carried out at San Leo (Italy). The town is located on the top of a quadrangular rock slab affected by a complex system of fractures and has a wealth of cultural heritage, as evidenced by the UNESCO’s nomination.<br><br> The management of this fragile set requires a comprehensive system of geometrical information to analyse and preserve all the geological and cultural features. In this perspective, the latest Geomatics techniques were used to perform some detailed surveys and to manage the great amount of acquired geometrical knowledge of both natural (the cliff) and historical heritage. All the data were also georeferenced in a unique reference system.<br><br> In particular, high accurate terrestrial laser scanner surveys were performed for the whole cliff, in order to obtain a dense point cloud useful for a large number of geological studies, among others the analyses of the last rockslide by comparing pre- and post-event data.<br><br> Moreover, the geometrical representation of the historical centre was performed using different approaches, in order to generate an accurate DTM and DSM of the site. For these purposes, a large scale numerical map was used, integrating the data with GNSS and laser surveys of the area.<br><br> Finally, many surveys were performed with different approaches on some of the most relevant monuments of the town. In fact, these surveys were performed by terrestrial laser scanner, light structured scanner and photogrammetry, the last mainly applied with the Structure from Motion approach.

scholarly journals GEOMATICS TECHNOLOGIES IN THE FRAMEWORK OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROJECT FOR INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES

2020 ◽  
Vol XLIII-B2-2020 ◽  
pp. 1477-1484
Author(s):  
C. Moise ◽  
A.-M. Lazar ◽  
C. E. Mihalache ◽  
L. A. Dedulescu ◽  
I. F. Dana Negula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Aerial Mapping ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
Complex Project ◽  
The Right ◽  
Photorealistic Models

Abstract. Cultural heritage represents the link between past and present civilizations, contributing to the right appreciation of the present-day by understanding the historical evolution of different human communities that are shaping our world. Preservation of the cultural heritage and mitigating potential risks on invaluable artifacts or objectives is key to conserving the identity of present and future generations. Our complex project is dedicated to monitoring, conservation, protection and promotion of the Romanian cultural heritage. It addresses the challenge of better safeguarding the cultural heritage by developing a multidisciplinary approach.The combined use of Synthetic Aperture Radar and multispectral satellite imagery represent a non-invasive investigation instrument that enable multitemporal analysis, contributing with valuable insights regarding cultural heritage sites. Remote sensing techniques were used to generate geospatial products such as displacement maps, urban sprawl evolution maps, urban heat island maps and many more.For protecting important artifacts, innovative recipes based on nanotechnologies were developed. In order to promote these artifacts, 3D photorealistic models were created using 3D reconstruction technology. For selected cultural heritage objectives, an integrated LiDAR aerial mapping system has enabled the creation of a high accuracy 3D model.This paper illustrates how different technologies, ranging from remote sensing to nanotechnology, could be used for safeguarding and promoting the Romanian cultural heritage and represents a first step in establishing and consolidating a multidisciplinary team involved in this domain.

scholarly journals The role of specially protected natural ar as in the formation of Saint Petersburg cultural landscapes

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 55-72
Author(s):  
G. Isachenko ◽  
T. Isachenko
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Cultural Landscapes ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Saint Petersburg ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Specially Protected Natural Areas ◽  
Protected Natural Areas ◽  
Almost All

The network of specially protected natural areas (SPNA) of Saint Petersburg in 2020 included 8 nature reserves and 7 natural monuments of the regional level, with a total area of 6143 ha, or 4.3% of the city's territory. Almost all urban protected areas bear traces of anthropogenic impacts of various ages, and therefore their landscapes can be considered as cultural. Many historical and cultural monuments of the XVIII–XX centuries are preserved within the protected areas of Saint Petersburg. The article considers SPNA of Saint Petersburg: 1) as landscapes that preserve the results of human activity of different ages, including cultural heritage sites; 2) as emerging special cultural landscapes of the metropolis. The article analyzes the contribution of human activity to modern landscapes of SPNA and describes the associative value of cultural landscapes. The difficulties of creating new protected areas and contradictions between the tasks of preserving natural and cultural heritage in the management of SPNA are discussed. It is proved that the protected areas of Saint Petersburg are becoming more and more famous not only as places of "traditional" short-term recreation, but also as locations for new types of activity, including walks on ecological trails. The increasing popularity of protected areas is evidenced by the frequency of their mentions at the Internet.

scholarly journals Search for «missing» archaeological sites

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 92-96
Author(s):  
A. M. Ilyushin ◽  
◽  
S. S. Onishchenko ◽  
P. G. Sokolov ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Kuznetsk Basin ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Archaeological Heritage ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
New Information ◽  
Cultural Heritage Objects

The results of search studies of previously discovered archaeological sites in the Kemerovo region are presented. The factors of “loss” of cultural heritage objects are described. Examples are given and the results of the search for specific funeral monuments in the basin of the river Inya on the territory of the Kuznetsk basin. Information on archaeological heritage sites is being clarified. New information on archaeological sites studied is introduced into wide scientific circulation.

scholarly journals A Methodological Seminar “Preservation of the Objects of Archaeological Heritage of Russian Asia: Results and Trends”

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 160-164
Author(s):  
Dmitry A. Bychkov ◽  
Konstantin K. Pavlenok ◽  
Anton V. Vybornov
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Far East ◽  
Extreme Points ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Archaeological Heritage ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Commercial Organizations ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

Purpose. In modern society, issues of preserving cultural heritage are of constant relevance. This is due to the ongoing struggle for the realization of the interests of a large number of agents. The participants in this process are executive authorities, academic institutions, commercial organizations and economic entities. The interests of each agent are in their own plane whose extreme points intersect with the planes of other agents. Consequently, all parties involved in preserving cultural heritage have points of convergence of their interests. In order to arrange preservation of cultural heritage as a common project, it is necessary to develop communication at the points of convergence of the interests. For this purpose, the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of SB RAS conducted a methodological seminar on March 4–5, 2019, that brought together archaeologists from Western and Eastern Siberia and the Far East. The workshop was attended by representatives of institutions of the Russian Academy of Sciences and executive authorities, as well as practicing archaeologists and experts. The extensive geography of the participants and the opportunity to communicate “at the same table” allowed us to openly discuss topical issues. Results. The main topics of discussion were changes in the federal legislation related to the preservation of cultural heritage. The main issue here is enormous complexity of its adequate and full application at the local level. However, in some cases, efforts of regional executive bodies help to solve these problems quite effectively. The other side of the issue is preparation of proposals for a change in the regulatory documents governing such areas of the economy as forestry and subsoil use. The issue of systematizing information on cultural heritage sites, which is currently accumulated in various institutions, has acquired particular relevance. This is due to its colossal scale and increased interest in the results of analytical studies of the laws addressing spatial location of archaeological sites. Conclusion. The outcome of the seminar was its resolution presented in this paper. The paragraphs of the resolution reflect the main conclusions and proposed solutions that were agreed by various specialists during the general discussion. This event, as a platform for communication, is extremely important for establishing a common position of the scientific archaeological community.

scholarly journals Harnessing Remote Sensing Derived Sea Level Rise Models to Assess Cultural Heritage Vulnerability: A Case Study from the Northwest Atlantic Ocean

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9429
Author(s):  
Meghan C. L. Howey
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Heritage Tourism ◽  
Relative Sea Level ◽  
Northwest Atlantic ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Relative Sea Level Rise

Climate change threatens cultural heritage across the globe. Of its varied impacts, sea level rise is critically pressing because of the long relationship between humans and the ocean. Numerous cultural heritage sites lie on the world’s fragile coasts. Identifying cultural heritage sites at risk is an urgent need, but archaeological research programs do not always have the resources available to conduct large-scale cultural heritage vulnerability assessments. Given sea level rise poses myriad pressing issues, entities around the globe are developing sea level rise models for various management purposes (ecology, hydrology, real estate, etc.). These remote sensing-derived sea level rise models can be harnessed by archaeologists to assess cultural heritage site vulnerability. Here, such an analysis is realized for a northwest Atlantic Ocean coastal area experiencing relative sea level rise and with robust cultural heritage, including economically significant maritime heritage tourism. Combining archaeological and historic geospatial databases with LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)-derived relative sea level rise models illuminates coastal New Hampshire’s cultural heritage vulnerability. This is informative for risk monitoring, mitigation, and preservation planning, especially for cultural heritage tourism. The analysis also raises the need for discussions around what kind and whose heritage gets priority in planning for future sea level rise impacts.

Cultural Heritage Presentation and Interpretation

Anthropology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Jameson
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Program Planning ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
Conservation Education ◽  
Late 20Th Century ◽  
Archaeological Heritage ◽  
Public Interpretation ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Essential Components

With conceptual roots going back to the first half of the 20th century, the public interpretation and presentation of cultural and archaeological heritage have become essential components in the conservation and protection of cultural heritage values and sites. By the early 21st century, the mechanisms and processes of public interpretation had reached a heightened level of sophistication and effectiveness. In the international arena, many leading organizations have emerged that are carrying the banner of interpretation principles for access, inclusion, and respect for multiple points of view. These principles emphasize the importance of dialogue facilitated by community engagement experts / laypersons, and participation in all phases of program planning, development, and delivery. Conventions and charters have been two of the most used categories of international documents to frame standards and guidelines for cultural and archaeological heritage management and presentation. International documents that specifically addressed the presentation and interpretation of archaeological heritage did not take shape until the late 20th century. The most important international document, to date, relating to interpretation and presentation of archaeological heritage sites is the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Charter on the Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites (2008). The charter lays out seven principles of interpretation and presentation about the conservation, education, and stewardship messages that represent the transcendent humanistic values of the resource. The concept of authenticity has become a central concern in the conservation and interpretation of cultural heritage. The Nara Document of 1994 (ICOMOS 1994, cited under Guidelines and Charters) built on the Venice Charter (ICOMOS 1965, cited under Guidelines and Charters), considering an expanding scope of cultural heritage concerns. It addresses the need for a broader understanding of cultural diversity and cultural heritage and underscores the importance of considering the cultural and social values of all societies. It emphasizes respect for other cultures, other values, and the tangible and intangible expressions that form part of the heritage of every culture. The Nara+20 text identifies five key interrelated issues highlighting prioritized actions to be developed and expanded within global, national, and local contexts by wider community and stakeholder involvement: (1) diversity of heritage processes, (2) implications of the evolution of cultural values, (3) involvement of multiple stakeholders, (4) conflicting claims and interpretations, and (5) the role of cultural heritage in sustainable development. The goal of more-inclusive interpretations requires an acceptance of divergent definitions of authenticity that depend on a level of tolerance of multiple definitions of significance with concomitant, objectively derived, assigned, and ascribed heritage values. We can hope that these efforts lead to the recognition of humanistic values that are reflected in cultural heritage narratives and heritage tourism practices as well as site commemoration and protection decisions by controlling authorities.

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