Non-invasive investigations for enhancing the knowledge and the valorisation of the cultural heritage: first results of the Malta-Italy bilateral project

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Persico ◽  
Giovanni Leucci ◽  
Lara De Giorgi ◽  
Maurizio Lazzari ◽  
Sebastiano D'Amico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Geophysical Investigation ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
First Results ◽  
Passive Seismic ◽  
Near Surface Geophysics ◽  
The Times

<p>“Non-invasive investigations for enhancing the knowledge and the valorisation of the cultural heritage” is a biennial project financed by the Italian National Research Council (CNR) and by the University of Malta, started in 2018 until to April 2020. It has been  aimed to perform geophysical investigation both in Italy and in Malta in order to enhance the knowledge, and therefore also the preservation and the valorisation of some relevant monuments and archaeological sites in both countries. In particular, we have performed ground penetrating radar [1-2], resistive [3] and passive seismic investigations [4] within or close to archaeological sites, churches, roman monuments and watchtowers and have identified [5], depending on the case, anomalies due to buried rooms, tombs, roads or just geological differences in the subsoil.</p><p>Geophysical investigations were also integrated by regional and local geomorphological survey applied to the natural heritage of Gozo Island, such as in the case of the natural arch of Wied il-Mielah and the  terraced high paleosurfaces, on which ancient watchtowers are often present..</p><p>In some cases, excavations were possible too, in other cases we hope they will be done in a future. Not all the times the excavations enlightened the hypothesized anomalies, but all the times the anomalies corresponded to some physical target or some physical buried discontinuity of the soil. At the conference, we will provide some insight on the achieved results, with special emphasis on the results achieved during the second year of the project.</p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p>[1] R. Pierri, G. Leone, F. Soldovieri, R. Persico, "Electromagnetic inversion for subsurface applications under the distorted Born approximation" Nuovo Cimento, vol. 24C, N. 2, pp 245-261, March-April 2001.</p><p>[2] R. Persico, M. Ciminale, L. Matera, A new reconfigurable stepped frequency GPR system, possibilities and issues; applications to two different Cultural Heritage Resources, Near Surface Geophysics, vol. 12, n. 6, pp. 793-801 (doi: 10.3997/1873-0604.2014035), December 2014.</p><p>[3] G. Leucci, Nondestructive Testing for Archaeological and Cultural Heritage. A Practical Guide and New Perspectives, Springer, 2019.</p><p>[4] Villani F., D'Amico S., Panzera F., Vassallo M., Bozionelos G., Farrugia D., Galea P., 2018. Shallow high-resolution geophysical investigation along the western segment of the Victoria Lines Fault (island of Malta). Tectonophysics, 724–725, 220-233 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2018.01.010</p><p>[5] Persico R., Leucci G., D’Amico S., De Giorgi L., Colica E., Lazzari M., The watch towers in Malta: a patrimony to preserve for the future. Proceedings of 2019 IMEKO TC-4 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Florence, Italy, December 4-6, 2019,pp. 100-102.</p><p> </p>

The archaeological site of chellah, new technologies for investigation, modeling, and mapping.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iman el guertet ◽  
Abdellatif aarab ◽  
Abdelkader larabi ◽  
Mohammed Jemmal ◽  
Sabah benchekroun
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Electrical Tomography ◽  
Geophysical Investigation ◽  
Islamic Period ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Modern Technologies

<p>archaeological sites have been always a subject of curiosity and search, the archaeologists and scientists from different specialties have been wondering about the origins of the man civilization, about the way our forefathers lived, how they nourished, dressed, and housed themselves, what techniques were used for the transport, the fishing, and the business, about the culture and the spiritual practices. in fact, the modern technologies, practices, and innovations are only a continuation of what was once; this is why the human being believes it is imperative to revive and understand the heritage and to discover its secrets. in the present work which pours in the same direction, we decided to revive and explore a wealthy site located in rabat, the Moroccan capital, this site is named chellah, which represents the summing up of historical eras from the antiquity to the Islamic period and which is marked by the presence of antique and Islamic constructions which reflect this continuity. our research aims to build a model for the detection of areas that are not yet excavated but are already mentioned by archaeologists, geographers, and historians to validate their hypothesis and to find out where exactly these areas are located. our methodology is based on the processing of unmanned aerial vehicle<strong> (uav)</strong> images to generate high-resolution photogrammetric products with low cost, those datasets will be analyzed with a technique that has been in use since the '80s and which is using crop, soil, and shadow marks visualized on images taken by aerial photography. this analysis gave us the vision to select the zones on which a geophysical investigation by electrical tomography was carried out to approve the presence of the archeological components that require future excavation. our study focused on the importance of non-invasive methodologies for the study, preservation, and valorization of archaeological sites.</p>

scholarly journals HBIM FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES: FROM SFM BASED SURVEY TO ALGORITHMIC MODELING

2019 ◽  
Vol XLII-2/W9 ◽  
pp. 57-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Bagnolo ◽  
R. Argiolas ◽  
A. Cuccu
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Geometric Modeling ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Archaeological Data ◽  
Modeling Process ◽  
First Results ◽  
Different Characteristics

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The implementation of new technologies often leads research towards experimentation with new methodological approaches. The BIM process applied in cultural heritage is increasingly consolidating its practices, expanding its potential even in the field of archaeological research. Integrating archaeological data into BIM models has clear benefits but, due to the complexity of the involved elements, archaeological case studies can fit effectively into the BIM process only with the creation of semantic-aware libraries implementing dedicated objects. Cultural heritage can advantage of BIM-based knowledge management only integrating approaches and tools with different characteristics from those commonly used in BIM workflows. In the phase of the geometric modeling process, following that of the survey process and preparatory to the subsequent information modeling process, when the detected geometries are not easily traceable to libraries of pre-compiled objects, an alternative to the so-called "Scan to BIM" local modeling can be represented by algorithmic modeling. The paper, focusing on the geometric modelling phase of the HBIM process, presents first results and prospective tasks of an ongoing research project on the last architectural phase of the colonnade of a multilayered temple in the Antas valley in Sardinia (Italy), affected by imposing works of anastylosis and restoration.</p>

Introduction to this special section: Near-surface geophysics

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 434-434
Author(s):  
Adam Mangel ◽  
Steve Sloan
Keyword(s):  
Special Section ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Near Surface Geophysics

The near surface of the earth, a.k.a. the critical zone (National Research Council, 2001), is defined as the outer 50–100 m of the planet, which contains biota, bedrock, soil, water, and gasses. As humans, we rely on this layer for many functions including storage of water resources, housing of our infrastructure, storage of our wastes, and cultivation of our food sources. Several natural ecosystems are also dependent on this layer of our planet, which in turn provide us with ecosystem services. The historic and lasting importance of this layer to our environment emphasizes the value in understanding major environmental fluxes, impact of human activities, and the interface between the natural world and our infrastructure. Application of geophysical methods in this field has increased steadily over the past 15 years and continues to grow, especially as the human impact on the globe continues to increase.

Point markers in replacement of odometer driven positioning: effects and possible problems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Persico
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Ground Penetrating Radar ◽  
Polar Ice ◽  
Correct Position ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Stepped Frequency ◽  
Near Surface Geophysics ◽  
Marker Point ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Observation Line

&lt;p&gt;It is widely known that, in GPR prospecting [1-2], sometime it is not possible to make use of the customary odometer for the recording of the position of the measurement points along the observation line. Consequently, in these cases the human operator is compelled to make use of point markers placed at known positions (measured with a tape) along the observation line. In particular, this can happen on the sand of a desert and on the polar ice [3], but it might happen also just due to some ill-functioning of the odometer. Notwithstanding, quite rarely the effects of the use of the point markers have been examined on the basis of some experimental test. At the conference, we will show an experiment where the same observation line has been gone through several times, first making use of the odometer included in the exploited GPR system and then making use of marker points. A third time, the same path was still travelled without odometers and taking the marker points without making use of any laptop command. These were replaced just by stopping for some seconds the GPR in any marker point (but keeping it switched on). This option can be useful in cases where e.g. the command has to be given through a touchscreen. The observation line was 15 m long, and was placed on a flat smooth and tough floor. This means that the line offered favourable conditions for the use of the odometer, and so the positions of the anomalies identified making use of the odometer are considered as the correct positions of the buried targets. This has allowed a quantification of the displacements from the correct position of the buried anomalies when making use of marker points taken with a step of one meter from each other. A&amp;#160; larger and deeper dealing is available in [4].&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;References&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[1] R. Pierri, G. Leone, F. Soldovieri, R. Persico, &quot;Electromagnetic inversion for subsurface applications under the distorted Born approximation&quot; Nuovo Cimento, vol. 24C, N. 2, pp 245-261, March-April 2001.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[2] R. Persico, M. Ciminale, L. Matera, A new reconfigurable stepped frequency GPR system, possibilities and issues; applications to two different Cultural Heritage Resources, Near Surface Geophysics, vol. 12, n. 6, pp. 793-801 (doi: 10.3997/1873-0604.2014035), December 2014.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[3] H. Jol, Ground Penetrating Radar: Theory and applications, Elsevier, 2009.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[4] R. Persico, &lt;strong&gt;Ground Penetrating Radar: Physics and Practical Aspects, &lt;/strong&gt;Springer Handbook of Cultural Heritage Analysis, edited by Sebastiano D&amp;#8217;Amico and Valentina Venuti, Springer, 2020.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals THE SOIL SCIENCE & ARCHAEO-GEOPHYSICS ALLIANCE (SAGA): going beyond prospection

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Cuenca-Garcia ◽  
Kayt Armstrong ◽  
Elina Aidona ◽  
Philippe De Smedt ◽  
Anne Rosveare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Effective Field ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Research Collaborations ◽  
Expected Benefits ◽  
The Relationship

Archaeological sites can be discovered and recorded in a high-resolution and non-invasive manner using geophysical methods. These measure the spatial variation of a range of physical properties of the soil which may be representative proxies of the subsurface archaeology. Less-invasive and cost-effective field procedures have become top-priority to mitigate the destructive effects on our cultural heritage from intensified land use, climate change and the current conflict panorama. At a time when many organisations are investing in advanced geophysical equipment, a major problem is that our ability to fully interpret the information available from geophysical datasets is still very limited. This deficiency prevents geophysical survey moving beyond basic prospection and becoming a significant tool for answering nuanced questions about archaeology and their host landscapes. This limitation arises from an incomplete understanding of the relationship between soil properties and geophysical measurements. Bridging this gap requires multi-disciplinary teams, testing novel methods, plus scholarly discussion to collate the outcomes of projects on this topic. Overcoming these challenges is a prerequisite for maximising the costeffectiveness of geophysical methods, realising the expected benefits of technological investment and allowing broader utility of geophysical methods in the cultural heritage sector. SAGA will build an international network of geophysicists, archaeologists, soil scientists and other experts to develop our capability to interpret geophysical data and promote research collaborations. Our vision is that after four years, SAGA will have created an environment within which emerging field procedures, enhanced data interpretation and a broader understanding of integrated geophysical methods can flourish.

scholarly journals Community Composition and Ex Situ Cultivation of Fungi Associated with UNESCO Heritage Monuments in the Bay of Naples

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4327
Author(s):  
Mariagioia Petraretti ◽  
Karl J. Duffy ◽  
Angelo del Mondo ◽  
Antonino Pollio ◽  
Antonino De Natale
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
External Surface ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Archaeological Heritage ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Reference Collection

The Bay of Naples, Italy, is renowned for its archaeological heritage. However, this heritage is threatened by the combination of weathering and the biological activity of microorganisms. Fungi are among the major agents of microbial deterioration of cultural heritage since they can cause cracks and lesions in monuments due to the penetrating force of their hyphae. Such biodeterioration may weaken the stone structures and threaten the longevity of these culturally important monuments. To address this, we collected, identified, and maintained in culture filamentous fungi that colonize the external surface of monuments at five important archaeological sites near Naples, namely Cuma, Ercolano, Nola, Oplonti, and Pompei. We isolated a total of 27 fungal taxa, all of which can be cultivated in the laboratory, and form a part of our reference collection. Many of the described fungal taxa we found belong to groups that are involved in stone biodeterioration and can thus be considered as model organisms for in vitro studies. These results emphasize the importance of identifying and cultivating fungal stock cultures for non-invasive studies on biodeterioration. Our newly developed reference collection represents a useful resource that is available to other researchers to rapidly identify potentially hazardous fungi on other monuments.

scholarly journals A functional linear modeling approach to sleep–wake cycles in dogs

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hope J. Woods ◽  
Ming Fei Li ◽  
Ujas A. Patel ◽  
B. Duncan X. Lascelles ◽  
David R. Samson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Healthy Adult ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Linear Modeling ◽  
Activity Monitors ◽  
Companion Dogs ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Normal Sleep ◽  
The Times

AbstractThe study of companion (pet) dogs is an area of great translational potential, as they share a risk for many conditions that afflict humans. Among these are conditions that affect sleep, including chronic pain and cognitive dysfunction. Significant advancements have occurred in the ability to study sleep in dogs, including development of non-invasive polysomnography; however, basic understanding of dog sleep patterns remains poorly characterized. The purpose of this study was to establish baseline sleep–wake cycle and activity patterns using actigraphy and functional linear modeling (FLM), for healthy, adult companion dogs. Forty-two dogs were enrolled and wore activity monitors for 14 days. FLM demonstrated a bimodal pattern of activity with significant effects of sex, body mass, and age; the effect of age was particularly evident during the times of peak activity. This study demonstrated that FLM can be used to describe normal sleep–wake cycles of healthy adult dogs and the effects of physiologic traits on these patterns of activity. This foundation makes it possible to characterize deviations from normal patterns, including those associated with chronic pain and cognitive dysfunction syndrome. This can improve detection of these conditions in dogs, benefitting them and their potential as models for human disease.

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