Articles by Roberto Gabrielli

2015 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Strategie innovative di elaborazione e restituzione dati del castello crociato di Wu’Ayra

Roberto Gabrielli, Andrea Angelini, Damiano Portarena

Abstract

The recent development of camera sensors, the manufacturing of lenses and the accurate algorithms of photogrammetric software allow today to acquire point clouds similar to those generated from a laser scanner. The results are similar: numerical models that contain a variety of information, useful for the final data synthesis. Thanks to the automatic points recognition of photogrammetric algorithms, it is now possible to revise part of digital data previously acquired and use them in new computing strategies. Emblematic is the example of the crusader castle of Wu'Ayra, an important medieval fortress located in the Petra valley in Jordan. Since 2000, in collaboration with the international mission of the University of Florence, a number of surveys aimed at detecting the whole monumental area, the archaeological site, the settlement and the defensive system of the castle were performed by the research team of the Italian ITABC-CNR. Different survey techniques were used during the acquisition step, in order to enhance the main information of the archaeological site and the geomorphology of an extended area particularly complex to be defined. In these 15 years, the team tested several techniques. Thanks to recent software, the team has revised old data, created a defined numerical model of Wu'Ayra, updated and improved the documentation. The Authors illustrate the results of these elaborations and compare them with the other systems used, highlighting the differences and updating the graphic documentation of an important site in the history of the Petra valley. Furthermore, latest data of the architectural structures of the formworks acquired with laser scanner will be presented.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 2015, 26, 209-227; doi: 10.19282/ac.26.2015.26

2013 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Discovering Chan Chan: modern technologies for urban and architectural analysis

Francesca Colosi, Roberto Gabrielli, Roberto Orazi, Eva Savina Malinverni

Abstract

Since 2002, the Italian Mission of CNR-ITABC has been operating in the archaeological complex of Chan Chan (Peru), which is the largest pre-Columbian settlement entirely built with adobe. In 1989 Chan Chan was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main purpose of the work is aimed at the conservation, documentation and use of the site and of the territory that is related to Chan Chan from a historical and cultural point of view. The urban structure of Chan Chan, which is spread over a surface of 14 km2, has a number of buildings which characterizes the town at both an architectural (ciudadelas, huacas, huachaques) and decorative level (bas-reliefs, geometrical motifs). In order to achieve our research goals, we had to arrange for the combined use of various analysis techniques that would provide both urban and architectural information about the town. The data we obtained allowed us to make a more up-to-date interpretation of the urban fabric and revealed intriguing details regarding the construction phases of one of its palaces which will be helpful both for the planning of the Archaeological Park and the restoration project of the Palacio Rivero.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 2013, 24, 187-207; doi: 10.19282/ac.24.2013.09

2013 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Laser scanning e photo scanning. Tecniche di rilevamento per la documentazione 3D di beni architettonici ed archeologici

Andrea Angelini, Roberto Gabrielli

Abstract

Laser scanner and digital photogrammetric systems (photo scanning) must be considered at present two of the main techniques used for archaeological and architectural surveying. The integration of both 3D scanning systems allowed us to improve the scientific knowledge, the management, the use and the safeguarding of Cultural Heritage. The aim of this article is to identify analogies and differences between the two surveying techniques applied to different archaeological contexts. Starting from a general introduction to the concept of measurement and the management of the data acquired from different techniques of surveying, the article focuses on the laser scanner applications with particular attention on the intrinsic properties of the instrument, the problems of measurement and the methodology used during the survey. The second part is focused on the digital photogrammetry applied on a particular archaeological context. Digital photogrammetry was developed and experimented in order to acquire territorial data quickly. The optimization of the working speed, while maintaining accuracy of data, means cost savings and an optimal use of funds. Our workgroup decided to transfer that methodology to the archaeological excavations of Rome Metro Line C in collaboration with some public institutions and private companies. The final results have produced 2D and 3D graphic documentations of all the archaeological area up to highly-accurate ortho-recti ??ed images. Point clouds allowed us to simultaneously view a general 3D model of all open archaeological areas, providing an opportunity for observation and an analysis not possible by other means. Each area can be studied together with the others in a global view of the excavation. Every stratigraphic unit can be displayed in the same area and switched on in the same way as a layer.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 2013, 24, 379-394; doi: 10.19282/ac.24.2013.21

2011 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Le "Terme di Elagabalo" sul Palatino: sperimentazione di un metodo fotogrammetrico 3D applicato allo scavo archeologico

Clementina Panella, Roberto Gabrielli, Cecilia Giorgi

Abstract

The mapping project of the so-called area of the "Terme di Elagabalo" on the north-eastern side of the Palatine hill is the result of a long term cooperative effort between the University of Rome "La Sapienza" and the Institute of Technologies Applied to Cultural Heritage of the CNR (ITABC). This site has been under excavation since 2007, under the scientific supervision of the Department of Methodology and Techniques for Archaeological Research of the University of Rome "La Sapienza". As part of this project, one of the doctoral theses is addressing the subject of the compound of the Severian Age present on the site, with the purpose of identifying the history and function of the monument, by understanding and analysing the structure of the walls. Masonry mapping is an essential element for the study and analysis of archaeological monuments. In this case, a new technique was introduced which is the 3D scattergram photogrammetry, developed by the research department of ITABC. This new monitoring technique provided graphic documentation such as plans, views and sections especially where the traditional method had limitations and therefore it is extremely useful for the archaeological analysis of monuments and their contexts. Furthermore an objective 3D rendering was produced, thus providing a new form of scientific documentation for a better understanding of the current state of the monument and also for further research and monitoring. The purpose of proposing a doctoral thesis on this subject was to educate and train a new breed of professionals in the area of technology applied to cultural heritage.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 2011, 22, 243-260; doi: 10.19282/ac.22.2011.11

2008 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Antica rete idrologica di Petra. Studio e restauro nell’ottica della conservazione dei beni architettonici

Roberto Gabrielli, Andrea Angelini, Roberto Franchi, Pierre Drap

Abstract

The Petra monumental site is located on the left rim of the Rift Valley in central-southern Jordan. The entire valley, which is tectonic in origin, rests on Late Cambrian quartzarenite rock formations of continental origin. Past research conducted by our team has allowed us to identify the following main causes of the weathering processes: thermal expansion and shrinkage of rocks caused by the great differences in day and night temperatures contribute to the loosening of quartz grains that lead to the disintegration of the rock. Heavy rainfall and above all surface runoff contribute significantly to the removal of weathered materials from the surface. Other forms of decay are caused by the presence of salts along the fractures. Both fieldwork and laboratory analyses performed in the past in a climate chamber have demonstrated that the products usually used in conventional restoration work are not very effective, due to the “extreme” climate and the chemical and physical characteristics of the rocks. The project proposes the realization of a GIS aimed at acquiring complete knowledge of the man-made structures and hydraulic system underlying the routes of the canalisations and identifying the cisterns. This work is meant to contribute a valid support aimed at the restoration, which will involve several different disciplines, including the geological and chemical analysis of the rocks, the topography and the 3D photogrammetry.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 2008, 19, 323-341; doi: 10.19282/ac.19.2008.24

2007 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Tecniche speditive per la ricostruzione tridimensionale dell’area archeologica di Villa Magna

Andrea Angelini, Francesca Colosi, Roberto Gabrielli, Elizabeth Fentress, Cinzia Filippone

Abstract

The article presents the results of the GPS and photographic surveys conducted on the archaeological site of Villa Magna (Anagni, Lazio). The archaeological complex, identified as the imperial residence of Antoninus Pius, occupies an area of about 22 hectares. Presently, the visible remains are divided into two principal nuclei: the northern one, near the church of S. Pietro, and the southern one, occupied by a farmhouse. The aim of the survey was the reconstruction of the morphology of the terrain in order to produce a Digital Terrain Model and to highlight the relationship between natural elements and ancient structures. In order to speed up the work, a new procedure was used. It consists of a Differential GPS used in a kinematic way by mounting the rover antenna on a jeep. In this article the experimental method’s advantages and the problems of acquisition are analysed. Moreover, low altitude photographs of the archaeological excavations were taken using an aerostatic balloon. The photographic system was anchored to the balloon with a radio-controlled device called Picavet. Georeferenced photos can be very useful not only for documenting but also for presenting and exploiting the site.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 2007, 18, 141-158; doi: 10.19282/ac.18.2007.08

2003 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Cerveteri: topografia della Vigna Parrocchiale II. Metodologie integrate per lo studio di un'area archeologica, con Appendici di D. Petrelli e P. Mauriello

Francesca Colosi, Roberto Gabrielli, Paolo Mauriello, Daniela Peloso

Abstract

The article presents activities and specific technologies connected to a multidisciplinary project, developed within the 'Caere Project' (http://www.progettocaere.rm.cnr.it) and conducted by researchers of the CNR-ITABC and the University of Molise. The goal of the research is to contribute to the archaeological documentation of the Etruscan town of Cerveteri (Rome-Italy), employing a vast array of technologies for the 3D reconstruction of the landscape. The research is also aimed at integrating instruments for topographic relief and innovative methodologies of surveying (DGPS, total stations, 3D laser scanning), to collect geometrical and morphological data at territorial and site scale. A geophysical survey in the Vigna Parrocchiale area, located in the centre of the urban plateau, was carried out using geoelectric methods of investigation to enable archaeologists to detect subsurface structures. The results obtained and illustrated in this paper will be validated by the reopening in the near future of the excavations by CNR-ISCIMA.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 2003, 14, 177-197; doi: 10.19282/ac.14.2003.08

2001 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Impiego del Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) per lo studio del paesaggio antico: alcuni esempi rappresentativi

Francesca Colosi, Roberto Gabrielli, Daniela Peloso, Dario Rose

Abstract

In recent years, the use of DGPS (Digital Ground Positioning System) satellite antennas has become widespread within the framework of the historical-topographic research. They give us the possibility of geo-referencing, in a simple manner, different objects spread across the territory, and permit the delimitation and geometrical survey of specific areas rendered in the shape of polygons. In the present project, new case-studies, aimed at defining new procedures for the geo-referencing of territorial elements, are produced. In these case-studies the use of DGPS, employed in a new and integrated way with other modern topographical instruments, has enabled us to survey complex structures and to produce detailed morphological studies of the sites. The archaeological sites that have been examined show great differences. Firstly, in their geomorphologic characteristics, the historical period, the cultural environment and related problems and secondly, for the different scale of the research, procedures and level of investigation of the archaeological research.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 2001, 12, 181-197; doi: 10.19282/ac.12.2001.10

2000 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Lo studio del territorio impiegando diverse metodologie d'indagine: il caso della valle del Tevere

Francesca Colosi, Alessandra Costantini, Roberto Gabrielli, Salvatore Piro, Paola Santoro

Abstract

In general, a territory can be considered as the centre which contains all information related to different historical ages. The study of a portion of a given territory characterised by the presence of archaeological sites must be aimed at the complete and accurate acquisition of environmental data (e.g. topography, geo-morphology, litho-stratigraphy, land use, etc.), which will be used for an overall study of the site, the reconstruction of the man-environment interaction, and the evaluation of possible applications of geophysical prospecting methods. By interpreting different sets of remote-sensing data, studying existing geological and geo-morphological information and through systematic field work (e.g. archaeological survey, geophysical investigations, etc.), a wide spectrum of environmental data can be collected. The methodology of a complete analysis of the territory can be summarised as follows: analysis of remote-sensing data sets and their geo-referencing; DTM of the selected study area; morphological and geological definition of the selected study area; identification, location and geo-referencing of all archaeological sites in the territory; high-resolution integrated geophysical prospecting methods, to delineate the extension of the site and to locate the archaeological structures; a complete description of the site in its environmental context; definition of an integrated analysis method, based on the spatial correlation of the different data sets; study and design of a GIS for the management of all data sets which have been collected, elaborated and interpreted; definition of a model for the knowledge and protection of the historical and environmental aspects of the territory.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 2000, 11, 171-189; doi: 10.19282/ac.11.2000.09

1999 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Il Tevere e il suo antico corso

Alessandra Costantini, Anna De Meo, Francesca Colosi, Roberto Gabrielli

Abstract

In this paper, the results of a scientific collaboration between the Institute of Etrusco-Italic Archaeology, the Institute of Technologies Applied to Cultural Heritage and the Civic Museum of Magliano Sabina are presented. The aim of this research is to study the distribution of archaeological sites in the territory of Magliano Sabina (Tiber Valley) and their relationship with the environmental-historical context. This area is a section of the Tiber Valley, where the river has always represented an important element from an historical point of view. In the present day in this area the river no longer follows its original course, so it was decided to find its old course in order to better understand the distribution of the ancient settlements in this territory. On the basis of research carried out at the Archivio di Stato di Roma it was possible to verify that the river Tiber originally flowed in the lower part of Magliano Sabina, nowadays the area of “Piana di Ramelli”. The study of historical cartography allowed us to verify the change of the river course since 1589, the year of the construction of the “Felice” bridge. The data has been confirmed by the morphological and geological characterisation of the selected study area. A GIS of the area has been used to compare and integrate all data sets with the aim of producing thematic maps to better understand the environmental evolution of the territory of Magliano Sabina.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 1999, 10, 249-273; doi: 10.19282/ac.10.1999.18

1999 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Sabina Tiberina. Modellizzazione della distribuzione delle presenze archeologiche

Francesca Colosi, Giuseppe Espa, Salvatore Espa, Roberto Gabrielli, Ugo Ricci, Flaminia Verga

Abstract

The paper summarises some preliminary results obtained by a research team of the Istituto per le Tecnologie Applicate ai Beni Culturali of the Italian National Research Council (CNR-ITABC) in the archaeological area of Sabina Tiberina (Rieti). The study makes use of statistical methods and information technology with the goal of implementing a GIS of the above mentioned territory. The area investigated, falling within the counties of Magliano Sabina and Stimigliano, presents a wide chronological stratification dating from prehistory to the Roman age. The anthropological pre-existence considered show differences depending on settlements themselves which are always numerous in the various ages; in fact the proximity of the river (the Tiber) is the reason for their existence, allowing a cultural transmission besides the natural function of trade route. This paper is divided into two parts. In the first, all data concerning surveys carried out with the goal of finding and classifying the settlements of Roman age are included. In the second, some descriptive-documentary aspects gained through developing the GIS, together with statistical processing aimed at the creation of maps of data and settlements, are commented upon.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 1999, 10, 275-287; doi: 10.19282/ac.10.1999.19

1997 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Metodologie statistiche e procedure informatiche per l'analisi esplorativa di dati archeologici a connotazione spaziale

Giuseppe Espa, Salvatore Espa, Roberto Gabrielli, Ugo Ricci, Guido Righini

Abstract

Recent studies have emphasised the usefulness of a jointed employment, in historical and archaeological research, of the most advanced computer technologies with statistical methods. In this work, as an application of a Geographical Information System (GIS), we present a Matlab language program for the statistical analysis of spatial data related to ancient human settlements. The explanation of the program is preceded by some notes about the GIS, the area from which data have been collected, and the statistical methods applied to analyse the data.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 1997, 8, 27-36; doi: 10.19282/ac.8.1997.02

1996 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Impiego di un sistema geografico informativo per un confronto modellistico preliminare tra due aree archeologiche sabine

Anna De Meo, Giuseppe Espa, Salvatore Espa, Roberto Gabrielli, Ugo Ricci

Abstract

The aim of this work is to contribute to a better understanding of the historical and archaeological heritage. Archaeological and territorial data have been collected and processed in a GIS in order to provide information on the evolution of the population settlement in a selected area used as a case study. The area investigated was that located between the rivers Nera and Aniene (North-South direction) and between the river Tiber and the Sabine Mountains (East-West direction). It is historically identified as the “Sabina Tiberina” region. This area is characterised by a large number of sequential settlements of different populations beginning in the Iron through to the Medieval period. The GIS developed offers the possibility of describing and interpreting the territorial changes caused by the various populations. One of the main features of the GIS is its easy use for non-expert users (such as teachers, students and decision makers). Examples of different types of maps that can be generated by our GIS are presented. Two examples of composite maps containing different types of information (geographical, historical, geological etc.) are presented to show the possibilities afforded by the system.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 1996, 7, 103-112; doi: 10.19282/ac.7.1996.08

1996 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

La Sabina Tiberina. Analisi esplorativa per la zona archeologica dell'Ager Eretanus

Giuseppe Espa, Salvatore Espa, Roberto Gabrielli, Ugo Ricci

Abstract

The aim of the work described here is to contribute to the knowledge about the ancient population located in the Ager Eretanus, through the application of a statistical methodology known as “point pattern analysis”. We first present a brief discussion of the management of an application-oriented GIS in the field of archaeological research. We then present the results of a “second order analysis” undertaken on the data at our disposal. Finally, we discuss two interesting methodological problems: the first concerns the evaluation of the influence exerted on the model by possible errors in the location of the points; the second regards the proposal of a graphical representation which proves very useful in showing the variable intensity of the distribution of archaeological site.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 1996, 7, 357-363; doi: 10.19282/ac.7.1996.29

1995 Open Access Article Download PDF BibTeX

Impiego integrato di metodi statistico-spaziali e tecniche informatiche nell'analisi di aree di interesse storico-archeologico

Giuseppe Espa, Salvatore Espa, Roberto Gabrielli, Augusto Pifferi, Ugo Ricci

Abstract

Recently, an interesting debate has developed in the context of historic archaeological disciplines concerning the employment of typical technical scientific methodologies and instruments utilized in research. The aim of this article is to contribute to this debate by showing how it is possible to conjointly utilize information technology techniques and statistical methods in archaeological research for both descriptive and interpretative purposes. The objective was successfully achieved by integrating several common spatial-statistical methods (Ripley's K-function) with the potential offered by GIS. In fact, the collection of files and graphical data representation was followed up by statistical data processing which, with the identification of several important parameters, has enabled GIS files to be improved with further information for subsequent processing.

«Archeologia e Calcolatori» 1995, 6, 35-60