Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) time-lapse monitoring of the instability processes affecting Varano Hill: A case study of the ancient Roman site of Villa Arianna

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato Somma ◽  
Alfredo Trocciola ◽  
Daniele Spizzichino ◽  
Alessandro Fedele ◽  
Gabriele Leoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Morphological Evolution ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Slope Instability ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Slope Instabilities

<p>The archaeological site of Villa Arianna - located on Varano Hill, south of Vesuvius - offer tantalizing information regarding first-century AD resilience to hydrogeological risk. Additionally, the site provides an important test case for mitigation efforts of current and future geo-hazard. Villa Arianna, notable in particular for its wall frescoes, is part of a complex of Roman villas built between 89 BC and AD 79 in the ancient coastal resort area of Stabiae. This villa complex is located on a morphological terrace that separates the ruins from the present-day urban center of Castellammare di Stabia. The Varano hill is formed of alternating pyroclastic deposits, from the Vesuvius Complex, and alluvial sediments, from the Sarno River. The area, in AD 79, was completely covered by PDCs from the Plinian eruption of Vesuvius. Due to the geomorphological structure the slope is prone to slope instability phenomena that are mainly represented by earth and debris flows, usually triggered by heavy rainfall. The susceptibility is worsened by changes in hydraulic and land-use conditions mainly caused by lack of maintenance of mitigation works. Villa Arianna is the subject of a joint pilot project of the INGV-ENEA-ISPRA that includes non-invasive monitoring techniques such as the use of UAVs to study the areas of the slope at higher risk of instability. The project, in particular, seeks to implement innovative mitigation solutions that are non-destructive to the cultural heritage. UAVs represent the fastest way to produce high-resolution 3D models of large sites and allow archaeologists to collect accurate spatial data that can be used for 3D GIS analyses. Through this pilot project, we have used detailed 3D models and high-resolution ortho-images for new analyses and documentation of the site and to map the slope instabilities that threatens the Villa Arianna site. Through multi-temporal analyses of different data acquisitions, we intend to define the detailed morphological evolution of the entire Varano slope. These analyses will allow us to highlight priority areas for future low-impact mitigation interventions.</p>

scholarly journals Studying the Construction of Floor Mosaics in the Roman Villa of Pisões (Portugal) Using Noninvasive Methods: High-Resolution 3D GPR and Photogrammetry

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 1882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bento Caldeira ◽  
Rui Jorge Oliveira ◽  
Teresa Teixidó ◽  
José Fernando Borges ◽  
Renato Henriques ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Noninvasive Methods ◽  
Noninvasive Sensors ◽  
Roman Villa ◽  
3D Gpr ◽  
Ground Penetrating ◽  
Structural Levels ◽  
Very High

Over the past decade, high-resolution noninvasive sensors have been widely used in explorations of the first few meters underground at archaeological sites. However, remote sensing actions aimed at the study of structural elements that require a very high resolution are rare. In this study, layer characterization of the floor mosaic substrate of the Pisões Roman archaeological site was carried out. This work was performed with two noninvasive techniques: 3D ground penetrating radar (3D GPR) operating with a 1.6 GHz central frequency antenna, which is a very high-resolution geophysical method, and photogrammetry with imagery obtained by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which is a very high-resolution optical method. The first method allows penetration up to 30–40 cm depth and 3D models can be obtained, and with the second method, very high detail surface images and digital surface models can be obtained. In this study, we analyze a combination of data from both sensors to study a portion of the floor mosaic of the Pisões Roman Villa (Beja, Portugal) to obtain evidence of the inner structure. In this context, we have detected the main structural levels of the Roman mosaic and some internal characteristics, such as etched guides, internal cracking, and detection of higher humidity areas. The methodology that we introduce in this work can be referenced for the documentation of ancient pavements and may be used prior to carrying out preservation activities. Additionally, we intend to show that a Roman mosaic, understood as an archaeological structure, does not consist of only beautiful superficial drawings defined by the tesserae, but these mosaics are much more complex elements that must be considered in their entirety for preservation.

scholarly journals UAV SURVEY FOR THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MAP OF <i>LILYBAEUM</i> (MARSALA, ITALY)

2019 ◽  
Vol XLII-2/W11 ◽  
pp. 495-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Ebolese ◽  
M. Lo Brutto ◽  
G. Dardanelli
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Archaeological Excavation ◽  
Cost Effective Approach ◽  
Ancient City ◽  
Field Campaigns ◽  
Archaeological Areas

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Collecting information and mapping are fundamental aspects of systematic archaeological excavation, documentation and interpretation. The process of recording physical evidence is the first step in the archaeological study with the goal to derive spatial and semantic information from the gathered and available data. Archaeological reports always include 2D maps, sections, data distribution and other spatial data. Indeed, the representation is inseparable from the archaeological practice, but this is undoubtedly a time-consuming activity. Nowadays, archaeologists can take advantages of various recording techniques to produce highly accurate 3D models and ortho-images of archaeological sites. Far from replacing the more traditional techniques, the development of new geomatics techniques tries to answer, in a more efficient way, to the needs of archaeological research. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has become more popular in archaeological excavations. In particular, UAV systems become a useful, versatile and cost-effective approach to record large archaeological areas in order to measure and completely document them. They are the fastest way to produce high-resolution 3D models of entire sites and allow archaeologists to collect accurate spatial data that can be used for spatial analyses using GIS platform. The paper presents the results of several UAV surveys of the archaeological remains of <i>Lilybaeum</i>, the ancient city of Marsala (Southern Italy), performed in the Archaeological Park of “Lilibeo”. The UAV acquisitions were planned and carried out to complete the previous traditional documentation of the site. Very detailed 3D models and high-resolution ortho-images, together with some new field campaigns, have been used for new analysis and documentation of the site and for the realization of the archaeological map of <i>Lilybaeum</i>.</p>

Estimation of rock frame weakening using time-lapse crosswell: The Frio brine pilot project

Geophysics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. B235-B245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Al Hosni ◽  
Stéphanie Vialle ◽  
Boris Gurevich ◽  
Thomas M. Daley
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Resolution Time ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Geomechanical Properties ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Rock Microstructure

[Formula: see text] injection into subsurface reservoirs leads to pressure and saturation changes. Furthermore, [Formula: see text]-brine-minerals interaction could result in dissolution or reprecipitation of rock frame-forming minerals. Observed time-lapse seismic associated with [Formula: see text] injection into poorly consolidated sandstone at the Frio [Formula: see text] injection site (Texas, USA) could not be predicted using classical rock-physics models (i.e., models involving elastic changes in the rock frame due to saturations and/or pressures changes only, and assuming no changes in the rock microstructure). That, and the changes in the fluid chemistry after [Formula: see text] injection, suggests that the assumption of a constant rock microstructure might be violated. Using high-resolution time-lapse crosswell data, we have developed a methodology for estimating changes in the rock frame by quantifying the rock-frame drained moduli before and after [Formula: see text] injection. Based on rock microstructure diagnostics, we found that the changes in the drained frame elastic properties are due to the changes in the grain contact-cement percentage. The reduction in contact-cement percent is found to be variable throughout the reservoir, with a maximum near the injection well, down to 0.01% from the initial 0.1% contact cement; this results in more than 40% reduction in the drained frame shear and bulk moduli. [Formula: see text] saturation was estimated using this model for uniform and patchy saturation cases. Our rock-physics analysis may allow improved interpretation of time-lapse seismic for [Formula: see text] saturation in the context of other poorly consolidated sandstones with similar geomechanical properties. Having the P- and S-wave velocity time-lapse data is key to improve saturation estimates with this analysis method.

scholarly journals THE GEOMATICS CONTRIBUTION FOR THE VALORISATION PROJECT IN THE ROCCA OF SAN SILVESTRO LANDSCAPE SITE

2017 ◽  
Vol XLII-5/W1 ◽  
pp. 495-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Brocchini ◽  
F. Chiabrando ◽  
E. Colucci ◽  
G. Sammartano ◽  
A. Spanò ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Data ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Web Gis ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Gis Applications ◽  
Defensive Role ◽  
Natural Parks ◽  
Cultural Artefact

This paper proposes an emblematic project where several multi-sensor strategies for spatial data acquisition and management, range based and image based, were combined to create a series of integrated territorial and architectural scale products characterized by a rich multi-content nature. The work presented here was finalized in a test site that is composed by an ensemble of diversified cultural deposits; the objects that were surveyed and modelled range from the landscape with its widespread mining sites, the main tower with its defensive role, the urban configuration of the settlement, the building systems and techniques, a medieval mine. For this reason, the <i>Rocca of San Silvestro</i> represented a perfect test case, due to its complex and multi-stratified character. This archaeological site is a medieval fortified village near the municipality of Campiglia Marittima (LI), Italy. The Rocca is part of an Archaeological Mines Park and is included in the <i>Parchi della Val di Cornia</i> (a system of archaeological parks, natural parks and museums in the south-west of Tuscany). The fundamental role of a deep knowledge about a cultural artefact before the planning of a restoration and valorisation project is globally recognized; the qualitative and quantitative knowledge provided by geomatics techniques is part of this process. The paper will present the different techniques that were used, the products that were obtained and will focus on some mapping and WEB GIS applications and analyses that were performed and considerations that were made.

Mapping and Monitoring of the Land Use/Cover Changes in the Wider Area of ltanos, Crete, Using Very High Resolution EO Imagery With Specific Interest in Archaeological Sites

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sawyer Reid stippa ◽  
George Petropoulos ◽  
Leonidas Toulios ◽  
Prashant K. Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Satellite Images ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Digital Photography ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Large Area ◽  
High Resolution Imagery ◽  
Site Mapping ◽  
Rule Sets

Archaeological site mapping is important for both understanding the history as well as protecting them from excavation during the developmental activities. As archaeological sites generally spread over a large area, use of high spatial resolution remote sensing imagery is becoming increasingly applicable in the world. The main objective of this study was to map the land cover of the Itanos area of Crete and of its changes, with specific focus on the detection of the landscape’s archaeological features. Six satellite images were acquired from the Pleiades and WorldView-2 satellites over a period of 3 years. In addition, digital photography of two known archaeological sites was used for validation. An Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA) classification was subsequently developed using the five acquired satellite images. Two rule-sets were created, one using the standard four bands which both satellites have and another for the two WorldView-2 images their four extra bands included. Validation of the thematic maps produced from the classification scenarios confirmed a difference in accuracy amongst the five images. Comparing the results of a 4-band rule-set versus the 8-band showed a slight increase in classification accuracy using extra bands. The resultant classifications showed a good level of accuracy exceeding 70%. Yet, separating the archaeological sites from the open spaces with little or no vegetation proved challenging. This was mainly due to the high spectral similarity between rocks and the archaeological ruins. The satellite data spatial resolution allowed for the accuracy in defining larger archaeological sites, but still was a difficulty in distinguishing smaller areas of interest. The digital photography data provided a very good 3D representation for the archaeological sites, assisting as well in validating the satellite-derived classification maps. All in all, our study provided further evidence that use of high resolution imagery may allow for archaeological sites to be located, but only where they are of a suitable size archaeological features.

MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN DUNE COMPLEXES MONITORING ON THE VISTULA SPIT

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandr Danchenkov ◽  
Aleksandr Danchenkov
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
High Potential ◽  
Coastal Processes ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Widespread Application ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Modern Technologies

Modern technologies, which provide fast and accurate acquisition of high-resolution spatial data, have found widespread application in the monitoring of coastal processes. This paper reports the results of four years’ monitoring of a huge deflation/blowout/wind-scour basin dynamics at the Vistula Spit (southeast coast of the Baltic Sea). Information about the volume and size dynamics together with deflation/accumulation schemes and 3D elevation maps is presented. Basing on the obtained results, forecast of the deflation basin dynamics for 2016 was proposed. This paper implements the Terrestrial Laserscanning (TLS) method to the coastal processes investigation and demonstrates its high potential in this field.

MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN DUNE COMPLEXES MONITORING ON THE VISTULA SPIT

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandr Danchenkov ◽  
Aleksandr Danchenkov
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
High Potential ◽  
Coastal Processes ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Widespread Application ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Modern Technologies

Modern technologies, which provide fast and accurate acquisition of high-resolution spatial data, have found widespread application in the monitoring of coastal processes. This paper reports the results of four years’ monitoring of a huge deflation/blowout/wind-scour basin dynamics at the Vistula Spit (southeast coast of the Baltic Sea). Information about the volume and size dynamics together with deflation/accumulation schemes and 3D elevation maps is presented. Basing on the obtained results, forecast of the deflation basin dynamics for 2016 was proposed. This paper implements the Terrestrial Laserscanning (TLS) method to the coastal processes investigation and demonstrates its high potential in this field.

scholarly journals Tracking late Pleistocene Neandertals on the Iberian coast

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Mayoral ◽  
Ignacio Díaz-Martínez ◽  
Jéremy Duveau ◽  
Ana Santos ◽  
Antonio Rodríguez Ramírez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Microbial Mats ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Upper Pleistocene ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Flooded Area

AbstractHere, we report the recent discovery of 87 Neandertal footprints on the Southwest of the Iberian Peninsula (Doñana shoreline, Spain) located on an upper Pleistocene aeolian littoral setting (about 106 ± 19 kyr). Morphometric comparisons, high resolution digital photogrammetric 3D models and detailed sedimentary analysis have been provided to characterized the footprints and the palaeoenvironment. The footprints were impressed in the shoreline of a hypersaline swamped area related to benthic microbial mats, close to the coastline. They have a rounded heel, a longitudinal arch, relatively short toes, and adducted hallux, and represent the oldest upper Pleistocene record of Neandertal footprints in the world. Among these 87 footprints, 31 are longitudinally complete and measure from 14 to 29 cm. The calculated statures range from 104 to 188 cm, with half of the data between 130 and 150 cm. The wide range of sizes of the footprints suggests the existence of a social group integrated by individuals of different age classes but dominated, however, by non-adult individuals. The footprints, which are outside the flooded area are oriented perpendicular to the shoreline. These 87 footprints reinforce the ecological scenario of Neandertal groups established in coastal areas.

scholarly journals Virtual Archaeology of Death and Burial: A Procedure for Integrating 3D Visualization and Analysis in Archaeothanatology

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 540-555
Author(s):  
Hayley L. Mickleburgh ◽  
Liv Nilsson Stutz ◽  
Harry Fokkens
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Information ◽  
3D Visualization ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
3D Models ◽  
The Body ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Archaeology Of Death ◽  
Human Burials ◽  
3D Information

Abstract The reconstruction of past mortuary rituals and practices increasingly incorporates analysis of the taphonomic history of the grave and buried body, using the framework provided by archaeothanatology. Archaeothanatological analysis relies on interpretation of the three-dimensional (3D) relationship of bones within the grave and traditionally depends on elaborate written descriptions and two-dimensional (2D) images of the remains during excavation to capture this spatial information. With the rapid development of inexpensive 3D tools, digital replicas (3D models) are now commonly available to preserve 3D information on human burials during excavation. A procedure developed using a test case to enhance archaeothanatological analysis and improve post-excavation analysis of human burials is described. Beyond preservation of static spatial information, 3D visualization techniques can be used in archaeothanatology to reconstruct the spatial displacement of bones over time, from deposition of the body to excavation of the skeletonized remains. The purpose of the procedure is to produce 3D simulations to visualize and test archaeothanatological hypotheses, thereby augmenting traditional archaeothanatological analysis. We illustrate our approach with the reconstruction of mortuary practices and burial taphonomy of a Bell Beaker burial from the site of Oostwoud-Tuithoorn, West-Frisia, the Netherlands. This case study was selected as the test case because of its relatively complete context information. The test case shows the potential for application of the procedure to older 2D field documentation, even when the amount and detail of documentation is less than ideal.

scholarly journals High-resolution single-cell 3D-models of chromatin ensembles during Drosophila embryogenesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiu Sun ◽  
Alan Perez-Rathke ◽  
Daniel M. Czajkowsky ◽  
Zhifeng Shao ◽  
Jie Liang
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Computational Method ◽  
Midblastula Transition ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Large Ensembles ◽  
Chromatin Folding ◽  
Function Relationship ◽  
Relationship Of

AbstractSingle-cell chromatin studies provide insights into how chromatin structure relates to functions of individual cells. However, balancing high-resolution and genome wide-coverage remains challenging. We describe a computational method for the reconstruction of large 3D-ensembles of single-cell (sc) chromatin conformations from population Hi-C that we apply to study embryogenesis in Drosophila. With minimal assumptions of physical properties and without adjustable parameters, our method generates large ensembles of chromatin conformations via deep-sampling. Our method identifies specific interactions, which constitute 5–6% of Hi-C frequencies, but surprisingly are sufficient to drive chromatin folding, giving rise to the observed Hi-C patterns. Modeled sc-chromatins quantify chromatin heterogeneity, revealing significant changes during embryogenesis. Furthermore, >50% of modeled sc-chromatin maintain topologically associating domains (TADs) in early embryos, when no population TADs are perceptible. Domain boundaries become fixated during development, with strong preference at binding-sites of insulator-complexes upon the midblastula transition. Overall, high-resolution 3D-ensembles of sc-chromatin conformations enable further in-depth interpretation of population Hi-C, improving understanding of the structure-function relationship of genome organization.

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