Volumes / Journal / 35.2
Archeologia e Calcolatori 35.2 - 2024
53 articles
ArcheoFOSS 2023. Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Open Software, Hardware, Processes, Data and Formats in Archaeological Research (Turin, 12-13 December 2023)
Edited by Anna Maria Marras, Alessio Palmisano, Rosina Leone, Vito Messina
Introduction
Anna Maria Marras, Alessio Palmisano, Rosina Leone, Vito Messina
Abstract
Introduction to "ArcheoFOSS 2023. Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Open Software, Hardware, Processes, Data and Formats in Archaeological Research (Turin, 12-13 December 2023)"
Foreword. Open Source, Open Science and communities in archaeology
Abstract
Foreword
Amplifying archaeological outreach: the impact of Wikipedia and collaborative initiatives on cultural tourism
Piergiovanna Grossi, Serge Plata
Abstract
This paper examines the impact of Wikipedia and Wikimedia Foundation projects on archaeological heritage dissemination and cultural tourism enhancement. It focuses on two initiatives: a 2017 Public Archaeology event and a 2023 project extending into 2024. The 2017 initiative, in collaboration with the University of Verona and the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le Province di Verona, Rovigo e Vicenza, involved creating Wikipedia entries for key archaeological sites in Verona. Visitor data analysis, from these sites, showed an increased number of visits after the entry creation. The ongoing 2023 project, backed by Wikimedia Italia and the Superintendency, aims to refine Wikipedia entries for all supervised sites. Preliminary assessments indicate enhanced visitor engagement correlating with article updates. The study particularly analyzes visitor data for Corte Sgarzerie (Verona) and Criptoportico Romano (Vicenza), assessing both electronic and physical visits. Results indicate a significant statistical increase in site visits, following the availability of Wikipedia articles. Further, a significant correlation was found between electronic access to articles and actual visits to these sites. The findings suggest a substantial impact of Wikipedia on cultural tourism, highlighting the role of open access, free software, and open data in promoting and preserving knowledge.
Dati aperti in archeologia: una riflessione sullo stato dell’arte nell’ambito del Ministero della Cultura
Valeria Acconcia, Valeria Boi, Annalisa Falcone, Ilaria Di Cocco, Mirella Serlorenzi
Abstract
The National Geoportal for Archeology (GNA), started in 2017 by the Central Institute for Archeology (Istituto Centrale per l’Archeologia – ICA) of the Italian Ministry of Culture, has the primary goal of making data resulting from all archaeological investigations carried out on the national territory freely accessible online. The project is part of the activities carried out by the Institute regarding the register and digitalization of archaeological research data. Its primary function is the creation of a dynamic archaeological map, easily implementable over time, free to access and easy to consult, open to reuse and integration by all users. The data-entry according to the GNA standard is entrusted to the use of a pre-set GIS project (template) developed using the open source software QGIS. GNA also receives data from other projects designed or managed by the Superintendencies in some areas of Italy, with the aim of preserving good practices already tested locally.
The DSC authority file: a link between fieldwork and finds
Stefano Costa, Eleonora Fornelli, Anna Lorenzatto, Gennaro Iovino, Chiara Panelli, Fiorenza Proto, Renata Esposito
Abstract
Starting in 2017, the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per la città metropolitana di Genova e le province di Imperia, La Spezia e Savona (SABAP-LIG) began activities to inventory archaeological assets through the ‘in batches’ inventory system based on the new MINP standard module. The activity was carried out with funds allocated by the General Directorate and has continued annually until 2023, leading to the compilation of about 13,000 modules. Since the first experiment, the DSC (Archaeological Excavation) authority file, which has been developed among the ICCD authority file standards for a while, but used sparingly. It has been identified as a crucial element of the activity because it can be used as a link between catalogue of records describing finds (MINP, MINV) and records describing archaeological sites. Despite the relative simplicity of the data model compared to state-of-the-art initiatives in archaeology data modelling, still it allows an improvement in finds management and knowledge about archaeological heritage.
Does not compute! Accounting for social and situated experiences while integrating and analyzing obsidian sourcing data
Abstract
The Database of Obsidian Sourcing Studies (DObsiSS) {https://zackbatist.info/DObsiSS) is an openly accessible integrated dataset comprising the results of dozens of obsidian sourcing studies published over a 50-year span. While the history of technological and professional progress pertaining to obsidian sourcing methods has yielded immense positive returns, this also produced extremely inconsistent data that were very difficult to integrate. This contributed to a sense of epistemic anxiety deriving from the struggle to reconcile the myriad outlooks that informed each data point -- with each other, and with a new objective of analyzing the dataset as an integrated whole. These challenges were further deepened by the Author’s position as a student and relatively uninitiated novice at the time when DObsiSS was being compiled. This paper reflects on various social, technical and epistemic challenges that the Author faced while assembling DObsiSS and while attempting to use this integrated dataset for a failed network analysis study, and relates this experience to a broader commentary on practices relating to data re-use.
Entertainment buildings in the Roman empire: a quantitative approach
Lucia Marsicano, Marco Montanari
Abstract
The project features the creation of a webGIS containing heterogeneous data about entertainment buildings in the whole Roman Empire: stadiums, circuses, theaters, and amphitheaters. Information available in earlier studies have been integrated with more recent historical information, modern maps, and satellite data. This geo-database of the Roman structures gives access to information such as localization, name, country, if there are any archaeological remains and if the monument is still visible. The results of the presented work are useful to 1) analyze the relationship between buildings and surrounding lands, 2) perform advanced hypothesis about the accessibility to the structures or the role of these type of buildings in the urbanistic context, 3) understand relationship between entertainment and society and 4) identify concentrations of structures in certain regions. This research is mostly focused on the study of satellite images, published and historical sources. A substantial level of attention has been dedicated to the reusability and availability of the collected data.
Sharing Linked Open Data with domain-specific data-driven community hubs – archaeology.link in NFDI4Objects
Florian Thiery, Allard W. Mees
Abstract
FAIRification and sharing of open data is an important aspect of the German National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) and its archaeology related consortium NFDI4Objects. NFDI4Objects offers domain-specific data-driven hubs to publish and share research data, Linked Open Data (LOD), ontologies, community-driven vocabularies and authority files, such as thesauri. This paper demonstrates the content, challenges and possibilities of the Data Hub ‘archaeology.link’. It consists of five thematic parts: 1) Semantic Modelling using the Linked Archaeological Data Ontology (LADO), 2) publication of domain-specific Linked Open Data, 3) community-driven vocabularies such as thesauri, 4) ontologies and 5) research tools.
The good, the bad and the ugly: evaluating Open Science practices in archaeology
Alessio Palmisano, Andrea Titolo
Abstract
In the past decade, archaeology has witnessed a surge in digital data and methodologies made accessible through online repositories, databases, collaborative platforms like GitHub, and library collections. While this ‘digital revolution’ has lead to notable advancements in data accessibility and dissemination, it has also presented several challenges. These include developing effective data management strategies, defining scientific publication modalities, addressing ethical concerns regarding the protection of cultural heritage, and bridging the gap between rich and poor research institutions. Taking these challenges into account, this paper aims to outline best practices for data sharing, dissemination, and reproducibility in archaeology, underscoring their benefits to researchers and the wider public. Through a range of approaches and practical examples drawn from everyday research scenarios, we will demonstrate how these practices promote transparency and foster open science.
Harmonizing photogrammetric approaches for Cultural Heritage preservation: a methodological framework and comparative analysis
Abstract
This study addresses the standardization of methodologies and data formats used in photogrammetric projects related to archaeology. The application of photogrammetry in recording and safeguarding cultural artifacts proves invaluable in various domains. However, the lack of a standardized method makes effective sharing of experiences and knowledge among practitioners difficult. This paper presents a methodological framework for photogrammetric data acquisition in the context of cultural heritage. This framework transcends the constraint of specific technical tools, embracing instead a level of abstraction consistent with the general principles of the Digital Data Curation paradigm and ontological encoding through the CIDOC-CRM model. Eventually, we provide a comparison between the FOPPA protocol with other three main acquisition protocols in order to test the interlingua that can enhance the communication between protocols. The overall goal of our research is to support systematic and methodical structured acquisition path, as well as systematic classification of metadata, facilitating the effective implementation of the methodology in new projects and promoting effective communication among existing projects.
Dealing with doubts: site georeferencing in archaeology and in the geosciences
Florian Thiery, Fiona Schenk, Stefanie Baars
Abstract
Archaeological research must handle issues such as vagueness and uncertainty in data modelling. Especially vagueness and uncertainty must be modelled to work with geodata. However, for linking data and FAIRification graph-based modelling as Linked Open Data (LOD) proposed by Berners-Lee is the method and technique of choice. This paper discusses three data-driven interdisciplinary use cases of dealing with and modelling vague and uncertain geo-references (here especially findspots) based on literature as LOD from the archaeological and geosciences domain (Irish Ogham Stones, Campanian Ignimbrite, and Silver Coinage of Croton), implementing three modelling strategies using Wikidata, Linked Open Data and Wikibase.
Using Kart and GitHub for versioning and collaborating with spatial data in archaeological research
Andrea Titolo, Alessio Palmisano
Abstract
Distributed Version Control Systems are one of the common ways through which scientists collaborate and keep track of different versions of their work. Moreover, scientists, programmers, etc., have been using platforms such as GitHub to host and share their resources versioned through Git. While not as widely adopted as in other disciplines, Git has also been used in archaeological research. In fact, DVCS allow scholars to collaborate remotely and offer the transparency necessary to align with Open Science and reproducible research practices. However, Git is highly inefficient when versioning GIS data. Kart, described as «an open source DVCS for geospatial and tabular data built on git», is a software addressing the need for collaboration and finer incorporation of geospatial data, providing also an integration with QGIS. Kart and code-hosting websites offers unique resources for archaeologists, from collaboration to more efficient workflows. In this paper, an example of how the authors are using Kart, QGIS, and GitHub in the project ‘Governance Policies and Political Landscapes in the Southern Levant under the Neo-Assyrian Empire’ will be presented. With this case study, the authors hope to provide a solution to the current gap in the workflow of documentation and collaboration among archaeologists using GIS.
‘Open’ architecture of UAVIMALS prototype and its archaeological use
Federica Vacatello, Andrea Vannini
Abstract
The UAVIMALS system is a small airborne laser scanner prototype resulting from interdisciplinary research conducted by the Sapienza University of Rome and the Institute of BioRobotics of the Scuola Superiore S. Anna in Pisa. The project was financed by the National Geographic Society (Early Career Grant No. EC-50761T-18). Its aim was to develop an inexpensive and open source remote sensing system, test an engineered LiDAR sensor for autonomous vehicles, and create a specific aerial system for ‘micro-relief’ archaeological trace detection. The experiment conducted in the archaeological context of Leopolis-Cencelle (VT) demonstrated the effectiveness of a self-built open source hardware and software system that can be adapted to different types of archaeological visibility.
Metaverse and ‘the Italian job’: closed and open models of virtual worlds in Cultural Heritage domain
Abstract
After the initial enthusiasm for a hypothetical explosion of the metaverse phenomenon, which then waned, a careful analysis can reveal a possible dual model in the planning of this technology. On one hand, a closed, basically monopolistic, approach aimed at market concentration, and on the other a fragmented approach, starting from the bottom, consisting of small interoperating entities. This second model, in recent years, characterized in Italy a series of metaverse initiatives linked to the enhancement of Cultural Heritage and seems to be the most promising at the moment, provided that the longstanding issue of reproduction rights of the Heritage itself is addressed and resolved, preferably with an open approach: a crucial issue in the new digital scenarios.
The Abade Artificial Archaeological Site Project
Abstract
The Abade Artificial Archaeological Site Project (AAASP) employed computer simulations to recreate a 19th -century Brazilian mining village that was destroyed in an environmental conflict. The simulations integrate laser scans of ruins, 3D modeling, historical data, and material evidence to reconstruct the site in a virtual environment accurately. After researching 31 simulation programs, the project utilized AnyLogic software (https://www.anylogic.com/) for the final phase. One base model was the ‘Serial Killers’ simulation in AnyLogic, modeling criminal behavior in an urban setting. This laid the groundwork for the more extensive historically accurate ‘Abade 10’ simulation, precisely replicating the Lavras do Abade conflict within set parameters. The ‘Abade 10’ model incorporates system dynamics, agent behaviors, connections, and an experiment simulating the 3-day conflict timeline in 1887. Preliminary findings indicate all victim agents were fatally assaulted within 30 minutes in the simulations, aligning with historical records of intermittent attacks before the village’s destruction. Upon completion, the AAASP aims to be an open repository that allows other researchers to validate, adjust, and enhance the model with new data. The project demonstrates the potential of virtual archaeology to test hypotheses, plan fieldwork, share models globally, and inspire public engagement by immersing users in accurate ancient environments.
Virtual recreation as a valid scientific representation for raising public awareness
Pablo Sicre-González, José Ortiz-García
Abstract
Virtual Archaeology is a developing scientific discipline that seeks to open windows into the past. Born from the ‘Seville Principles’, it is a powerful tool in the virtualisation of heritage, promoting a multidisciplinary approach and overcoming professional individualism. A case study is presented on the virtual recreation of the Roman city of Épora in Montoro (Córdoba, Spain) using historical-archaeological and literary data. Virtual reconstruction differs from virtual recreation in its focus on the physical representation of archaeological elements, while virtual recreation focuses on the visual recovery of the past of a specific archaeological site or context, which is not fully or partially confirmed. The study shows how Virtual Archaeology tools and protocols can be improved and highlights the need for specific forums to collectively discuss and improve the discipline.
An open look to the past: virtual and immersive approach to study inquisitorial Autos de Fe in colonial Mexico and Guatemala
Antonio Rodríguez Alcalá, John F. Chuchiak IV, Zoraida Raimúndez Ares, Maria Felicia Rega, Luis Díaz de León, Hans B. Erickson
Abstract
Virtual Reality is one of the tools that has become widely used in recent years, in the field of cultural heritage. This tool has proven to be particularly valuable, especially for approaching intangible cultural heritage. Using free and open source software for 3D modeling and animation, such as Blender and Unreal Engine, the international research group, Praeteritas Urbes, focused on the reconstruction of historical events such as the inquisitions many Autos de Fe, which had a significant impact on the colonial history of Central America. In this paper, we will present the results of two different projects: ‘The Great Auto de Fe of Guatemala’, which took place in Santiago de Guatemala in 1554, and ‘The Auto de Fe of Maní’ (Yucatán, Mexico), which occurred in 1562. In both cases, our objective was to make simulations of these two events known and accessible to the public, using a precise methodology, following the scale of evidence, and adhering to the standards established in the Principles of Seville codified in 2017.
Extended Matrix Manager: an open tool for EM based knowledge graphs management
Simone Berto, Emanuel Demetrescu, Enzo Cocca
Abstract
The following contribution aims at presenting a new free and open source software, EM Manager, created to assist archaeologists at approaching virtual reconstruction projects with the Extended Matrix (method developed at the Digital Heritage Innovation Lab - DHILab - of the CNR-ISPC of Rome). EM Manager is a free and open source standalone software, already available on GitHub, that allows to convert a table into an Extended Matrix. The software represents a remarkable update of the Extended Matrix Framework and, due to its features, it will expand the user base, since it helps EM users to cover one, or more, of the ‘7 key roles’ considered by the Extended Matrix method. In addition, the fact that EM Manager is Python based ensures the possibility for future implementation with other platforms (such as QGIS and Blender) based on the same language.
Extended Matrix Narratives: teaching and engaging through the past
Paola Frigerio, Caterina Previato, Emanuel Demetrescu
Abstract
Digital reconstructions for valorization projects are becoming increasingly popular and the creation of narratives that catches the user’s attention and instigates their curiosity is the key to edutainment. However, as shown by interviews and related work, there is still a lack of a working methodology for a balanced and fruitful collaboration between academia and creative industries. Even though this work is still in its early stages, in this paper we propose a methodology for bridging the gap between academia and creative industries through the development of the Extended Matrix Narratives (EMN) tool. It allows academics and creative people to construct narratives, characters, dialogues, and scenes in a schematic way, helping to ensure that the virtual reconstruction is both accurate and engaging for the target audience. The main step is to compile a dossier documentative, a collection of all the information that may be necessary for the creation of context, setting, narrative, or characters. This document provides a solid scientific basis for the final product and helps to direct the creative team. The result is a narrative that is both accurate and engaging, and that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as education, entertainment, and cultural heritage preservation.
Reviving the past: utilizing the Extended Matrix tool for Deacon Thomas Dayr virtual reconstruction
Abstract
The use of the Extended Matrix in the planning of the Mount Nebo virtual archaeological park allows for the creation of virtual models. The models facilitate the rediscovery and understanding of sites in the surroundings of the Moses Memorial on Mount Nebo that are difficult for tourists to access, ensuring the virtual preservation and memory of these sites. The use of the Extended Matrix as the basis for virtual reconstructions guarantees a philologically correct reconstruction based on reliable sources. The possibility of verifying the sources used and the reconstructive process of the author, at any time, ensures a transparent reconstruction. Sharing this data also makes it possible to have access to large databases that can be implemented and modified over time to keep them up to date.
Engaging the public: reviving history through the Social Simulacra model in participatory Public History projects
Lorenzo Gigli, Marco Montanari, Lucia Marsicano
Abstract
Public history and participatory history initiatives are rapidly gaining momentum as they aim to democratize the historical narrative, involving communities and individuals in shaping their own historical experiences. This paper introduces a novel approach to these accomplishments by harnessing the power of the Social Simulacra Model. The model offers an innovative and participatory framework for public history projects, enabling individuals to actively engage with and contribute to historical narratives. By integrating the Social Simulacra Model into public history, this paper seeks to transform the traditional approach to historical storytelling. This model facilitates the creation of immersive, interactive historical simulations that enable participants to become part of the historical landscape. It fosters a deeper connection between individuals and the past by allowing them to take on roles, explore social dynamics, and make decisions within historical contexts. This paper also illustrates the potential of the Social Simulacra Model in enriching public history and participatory history projects by offering a new dimension of engagement and interaction with the past. It paves the way for a more inclusive, engaging, and participatory approach to historical storytelling, bridging the gap between academic history and public engagement.
Digital twins of archaeological finds: open source technologies applied to 3D scanning
Luca Bezzi, Alessandro Bezzi, Rupert Gietl, Cicero Moraes, Giuseppe Naponiello, Sara Airò, Andreas Putzer, Elena Silvestri
Abstract
This article aims to analyze the complex issue of 3D documentation of archaeological artifacts under different viewpoints: from potential technologies to current methodological limitations, in light of the obtained results. These results will be described based on direct experiences derived from specific archaeological projects, whose primary aim was indeed the creation of digital replicas of selected artifacts. Among the institutions involved in such projects are the MArTA (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto), the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, and the UMST (Unit. di Missione Strategica) of the Soprintendenza per i Beni e le Attività Culturali of the Autonomous Province of Trento (PAT).
Non-invasive methodologies for the study of mineralised textile traces in Iron Age contexts
Emanuela Faresin, Vanessa Baratella, Margarita Gleba
Abstract
This study presents the preliminary results of a non-invasive analysis of bronze fragments from the site of Buttrio (Udine). The analysed sample belongs to a bronze situla dating to the second half of the 7 th century BC, currently preserved in the Archaeological Museum of Udine. These fragments are characterised by the presence of mineralised traces of textiles, which are relatively rare finds in this period but provide important information about the perishable materials, which represented one the most important and time-consuming economic activities of the past. The aim is to identify the fibres used in the production of the textiles, understand the manufacturing processes employed, and explore the nature of the archaeological context. The textile traces were analysed using standard analytical procedures to determine the main structural parameters, including weave type, thread
Data extraction from 3D scanning: post-processing filtering for analytic and informative models of small archaeological finds
Abstract
Actual 3D scanners based on the structured-light principle are opening to possibilities for creating detailed models (polygon populations) with micrometric resolutions. Consequently, highly detailed models allow specific investigations. This work focuses on 3D scanning and post-processing analysis/filtering of Ancient Near East finds, especially seals and cuneiform clay tablets, fragile artefacts that can hold a lot of semantic information beyond transliteration: e.g. seal impressions (figurative and textual sealings), fingerprint evidence, retracing and erased text. Behind the ease of use of portable structured-light scanners, hides the enormous potential for feature extraction and processing. Metric analysis (e.g. deviation analysis) coupled with the application of MSII (Multi-Scale Integral Invariant) filter enhance data extraction, changing the overall perception on details of the archaeological artefact.
Scansioni 3D di piccoli reperti per il progetto ArCOA (Archivi e Collezioni dell’Oriente Antico)
Abstract
ArCOA is a project aimed at the study, enhancement and communication of museum collections and historical archives on the ancient Near East in Italy. ArCOA was born from the collaboration between the University of Milan and the Institute of Heritage Science of the National Research Council, with a multidisciplinary working group of archaeologists, assyriologists, museum curators, cultural mediators and experts of technology applied to cultural heritage. The ArCOA team collaborates with several museums, public institutions and universities, including the Archaeological Museum of Como, the National Archaeological Museum of Florence, the Department of Historical Studies of the University of Turin and the Museum of Antiquities of the Royal Museums of Turin, for the diffusion of knowledge of the ancient cultures of the Near East. This paper shows the results obtained on photogrammetric scans of small terracotta head and its reprocessing through different programs, its morphological and geometric rendering. Even if today open source photogrammetric programs seem to be almost absent from academic researchs because non-commercial alternatives are not very competitive, much is moving instead in the freeware direction, with regulated conditions of use for universities and research centres, such as for example the latest version of Reality Capture or Metashape. Furthermore, the acquisition processes vary greatly in relation to the size of the object, which can force the operator to think in terms of micro-surveys.
Zotero2Map: sviluppo di un nuovo strumento ITC per la condivisione e la pubblicazione dei dati bibliografici per la ricerca storica e archeologica
Abstract
Zotero2map is a web application for sharing bibliographic data from various collaborators who want to share their bibliographic collections, using the Zotero software with the specificity of displaying and querying data also on a geographical map. With this tool the LAD: Laboratory of Digital Archeology at Sapienza (http://purl.org/lad) aims to facilitate the exchange of information relating to different historical and archaeological contexts, to speed up their retrieval and ensure constant updating of the data entered into the system. The webApp allows you to view and search for bibliographic data within an online map, using keywords (tags) that define the contents that are archived within the Zotero Libraries, which individual researchers already use for own scientific production. By simply clicking on the map it will therefore be possible to go back to the titles of the contributions, giving the possibility to individual users/researchers to always be updated on the scientific debate and on the publications concerning a certain area. The international vocation of the project presented is given not only by usability and open distribution, but also by the development of the cross-language functionality of keywords, a system that will allow the association of terms related to the same research topic but treated in different languages. The use of shared, multilingual dictionaries will allow not only to break down language barriers, but also to define an articulated taxonomy of relationships between the terms used. Individual researchers therefore do not have to adapt to pre-established vocabularies, but are invited to align their taxonomy with the shared one, making use of simple but powerful ontologies, such as SKOS or FOAF. Currently the software has been used on the specific case of Caonia, Northern Epirus.
Simplifying contextualization of 3D model archives in webGIS: 3DModelCommons
Marco Montanari, Lucia Marsicano
Abstract
This paper presents a transformative approach that allows for the utilization of existing 3D models from diverse sources within a geographic context. It introduces the concept of external metadata, which describes these models, making them searchable, accessible, and seamlessly intergrated in webGIS environments using Three.js and MapLibre GL. This paper addresses the demand for the reuse of three-dimensional data representation in the geospatial domain and acknowledges the wealth of 3D models available from various sources. By introducing a standardized metadata schema, it establishes a structured framework for the incorporation of these models into webGIS systems. A central theme of this work is the development of a metadata standard that acts as a bridge between 3D models and webGIS environments granting it all information that can be used to correctly locate, scale and orient the models. It enables efficient searching, rendering, and utilization of these models within geographic contexts. Leveraging MapLibre GL JS and Three.js, the paper showcases how external metadata can significantly enhance the integration of 3D models into webGIS, thereby fostering a more versatile and comprehensive geospatial data exploration experience.
I progetti Wikimedia e gli enti culturali
Elena Marangoni, Oriana Bozzarelli
Abstract
The paper focuses on cooperation between GLAMs (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) and Wikimedia projects. Cultural institutions that share content, data and images of cultural heritage with free licence can make their collections accessible to a broad audience, while Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia projects benefit from these content as sources for the online encyclopedia. Wikimedia Italia, local chapter of the Wikimedia movement and of the OpenStreetMap Foundation, supports the partnerships with cultural institutions in different ways. The association organizes Wiki Loves Monuments in Italy, a photographic contest that invites citizens to document cultural heritage and represents an instrument to face the Italian legal restrictions on sharing images of cultural heritage. A funding program supports each year GLAMs and volunteers’ projects and a wide project, Empowering Italian GLAMs, aims at addressing all Italian museums and heritage institutions in using open tools and sharing their digital collections.
Linking Pasts and Sharing Knowledge. Mapping Archaeological Heritage, Legacy Data Integration and Web Technologies for Modelling Historical Landscapes (Naples, 13th-14th November 2023)
Edited by Rodolfo Brancato, Julian Bogdani, Valeria Vitale
Introduction
Julian Bogdani, Rodolfo Brancato, Valeria Vitale
Abstract
Introduction to "Linking Pasts and Sharing Knowledge. Mapping Archaeological Heritage, Legacy Data Integration and Web Technologies for Modelling Historical Landscapes"
Landscape visualisation and modelling
Margherita Azzari, Paolo Liverani
Abstract
The contribution draws on the experience gained within the Rome Transformed project on the Eastern Caelian hill, reserving a with more general attention to problems of method. The spatial dimensions of the project pose problems including – but at the same time going beyond – those normally addressed for the visualization of individual surveyed structures. Two points seem crucial: 1) the transparency of metadata and paradata; 2) the tension between too much or too little prescriptive models or ontologies. Visualizing a territory poses peculiar problems; we have several examples in the past, but normally the reconstruction of ancient orography on which to place surveyed structures is not explicitly thematized. The territory imposes a leap in scale in the size and management of the data; forms the palimpsest on which to arrange the views of the individual sectors or structures into which it is divided; defines the ‘conditions of existence’ of topographical and monumental articulation; must consider the effects that older phases impose on later ones. Visualization of a territory is not only a way to present to the scientific community and the wider public in a concise manner the results achieved. Such an approach poses the need to work in an environment in which it is possible to progressively incorporate evidence of a very heterogeneous nature such as archival data, geognostic surveys of different types, surveys using traditional techniques or 3D scanning, and core drilling. The organisation of such heterogeneous data within a single software becomes essential for their subsequent processing. It was therefore necessary to design an application able to manage in a single three-dimensional environment the data produced while maintaining the associated information (metadata and paradigms) in order to allow them to be compared and at the same time guaranteeing full interoperability with the GIS environments in which the modelling activity is carried out.
Preliminary results of the archaeological potential map in SITAR
Mirella Serlorenzi, Ascanio D'Andrea, Carlo Rosa, Paolo Rosati, Daniele Sepio
Abstract
The institutional goal of studying and mapping archaeological potential in SITAR in recent years has been to create an efficient tool to support urban planning and cultural heritage management: The Archaeological Potential Map of Rome. The Soprintendenza of Rome plays a key role in this effort, being responsible for the safeguarding and promotion of the city’s archaeological heritage. By developing a robust model of archaeological potential, the Soprintendenza can better anticipate and mitigate the impact of construction and development projects on archaeological sites. This proactive approach ensures that significant archaeological resources are identified and preserved before they are damaged or destroyed. The tool will facilitate informed decision-making in urban planning, helping to balance the needs of modern development with the preservation of historical sites. Moreover, it will support the regulatory framework that mandates archaeological assessments in high-potential areas, rationalisation of administrative processes and improving compliance with heritage protection regulations. Overall, the creation of an efficient archaeological potential model by the Soprintendenza of Rome underlines the commitment to preserving the city’s cultural heritage while accommodating its continuous urban evolution.
The GISTArc webGIS for the accessibility and sharing of archaeological data in Campania
Giuseppina Renda, Carmine Civale, Sabrina Mataluna, Pacifico Cofrancesco
Abstract
The GISTArc project envisions the implementation of a webGIS environment for the management and visualization of geoarchaeological data from research included in the Archaeological Map of Northern Campania project, conceived and directed by Stefania Quilici Gigli. The creation of the new system began with the normalization of some completed research data. They were managed in a GIS environment and were subsequently imported into a Web geodatabase, with the preparation of layers containing all the textual, graphical/ photographical and spatial information of the catalogued archaeological evidence, together with the required bibliographical references. The GISTArc project has a threefold aim: make the results of archaeological research conducted in some sectors of northern Campania more usable; allow the researcher to consult, integrate and enter the data from future research, thanks to the connection to the system via the Internet and the possibility of recording data directly during the survey; and finally access via standard desktop applications, such as Quantum GIS and ArcGIS, rather than the internet-based GISTArc geodatabase, in order to use advanced data analysis and representation functions that may not be available online. This paper describes the technical and scientific approach to the creation of our webGIS. It focuses on the system architecture, operative environment, and development tools.
Challenges and benefits in modelling ancient landscapes complexity through resilience and antifragility. RELOAD: a project on liminality in Northern Tuscany
Abstract
RELOAD intends to re-evaluate the marginal areas of northern Tuscany to demonstrate their central role in the dynamics of management and perception of space between the Roman conquest and late antiquity. Considering that landscape archaeology, complemented by an anthropological perspective, allows a deep understanding of the linked dynamics of social and ecological systems, the project is expected to fill a gap of knowledge about ancient landscapes in northern Tuscany analyzing the case of Volterra to provide innovative interpretative models through a multidisciplinary methodological approach and a diachronic perspective. Integrating all available sources with new data collection, RELOAD approaches landscape complexity in a flexible way. Introducing for the first time in archaeology the concept of ‘antifragility’, RELOAD engages in the wider debate about adopting concepts and techniques from different fields for archaeological and historical reconstruction. The paper presents the project and preliminary data regarding the challenges and the potential benefits of applying agent-based model simulations to test the validity of approaching the past through the lens of ‘resilience’ or ‘antifragility’ leading to alternative reconstructions of the human-environmental interactions.
Old data, old methodology and new research. A case study of legacy data integration from the Cestrine Region, Epirus
Julian Bogdani, Domizia D’Erasmo
Abstract
In the context of the joint archaeological project in Çuka e Ajtoit (Albania) by Sapienza University of Rome and the Albanian Institute for Archaeology, new archaeological field research is being conducted in the Southern fringes of the Albanian territory. The area of interest extends from the site of Butrint (UNESCO Heritage site) to the Albano-Greek border, and corresponds to ancient Cestrine, renowned in the literary sources for its pastoral resources and Trojan connections. The study integrates the freshly acquired information collected during the field campaigns, characterized by a high degree of technological innovation, with old research data poorly published up to present. This paper concerns the photogrammetric processing of historical aerial imagery acquired for mapping purposes by the Italian Military Geographical Institute (IGMI) in the 1930s, during the war context of the invasion of Albania by Fascist Italy. The process resulted in the creation of a DTM and an orthomosaic by using SfM algorithms and GNSS topographical surveys, representing the shape of the landscape of the late 1930s, i.e., before the realization of extensive land reclamation programs by the socialist regime that have determined the radical changes of the current landscape.
Mapping the archaeological landscapes of San Basilio (Ariano nel Polesine, Rovigo)
Jacopo Turchetto, Elisa Consolo, Giacomo Moro
Abstract
Between the end of the Seventies and the beginning of the Eighties of the Twentieth century, following the discovery of numerous occasional findings, the village of San Basilio (Ariano nel Polesine, Rovigo, Italy) had been the object of a series of archaeological campaigns, which made it possible to identify a pre-Roman settlement and a Roman villa/mansio linked to the passage of the via Annia/via Popillia. In the past few years, the research has been resumed in that area, carrying out both archaeological and topographical activities, aimed at reconstructing the organisation of the ancient landscape. The aim of this contribution is twofold: on the one hand, the planned research activities are presented and, on the other, the opportunity can arise to discuss about the potentialities of digital approaches in mapping the archaeological landscapes of San Basilio.
IN-ROME – The INscribed city: urban structures and interaction in imperial Rome
Barbara Borg, Eleonora Iacopini
Abstract
This paper describes the objectives and methodological approaches of the project ‘IN-ROME – The INscribed city: urban structures and interaction in imperial ROME’. The project aims at mapping as comprehensively as possible a wide range of activities that shaped both the physical environment and the relationships between its inhabitants. Focussing on the time period between the 1 st century BCE and the 3rd century CE, and on the area outside the 4th century BCE ‘Servian’ Walls up to about the 9th mile of Rome’s consular roads, it draws on archaeological, literary and archival sources. In addition, and crucially, it aims to virtually re-contextualise c. 50,000 inscriptions in the Epigraphic Database Roma with a known provenance from the area, thus restoring agency to the archaeological landscape. To this end, a new webGIS is being developed that allows for the topographical visualisation of all relevant data.
Labels and symbols: using text on maps to investigate the antiquities on the ordnance survey maps of Great Britain
Valeria Vitale, Katherine McDonough
Abstract
This paper discusses the application of a machine learning pipeline to automatically digitise text on historical maps and make it searchable, as explored by the ‘Machines Reading Maps’ project. Looking at the Ordnance Survey Maps of Great Britain as a case study, we will suggest ways in which this new kind of open datasets, of both a textual and spatial nature, offers the unprecedented opportunity to study maps at scale, analysing map collections as digital corpora. These new approaches facilitate the use of map as historical sources in humanities research, and their investigation as complex cultural objects that combine heterogeneous knowledge. In particular, we will focus on the uncommonly detailed representation of ancient sites on the Ordnance Survey maps, and how a further layer of information around them is delivered not by the words’ literal meaning but by their appearance. We will propose ways in which this peculiarity could be digitally leveraged to retrace, investigate, and perhaps re-interpret the archaeological information on the Ordnance Survey maps. We will conclude by reflecting on the need for new, more sophisticated workflows that take into account the richness of information delivered by visual clues in words printed on maps.
Godscapes: towards a model of material religion in the second millennium BCE Levant via Semantic Web ontologies
Nicola Laneri, Chiara Pappalardo, Marianna Nicolosi-Asmundo, Daniele Francesco Santamaria
Abstract
‘Godscapes’ proposes to combine a material approach with the Semantic Web to investigate cultural transformation and, specifically, how external elements trigger the transformation of religiosity, resulting in new hybrid elements. Focusing on a case-study on the Levant during the second millennium BCE, the project investigates the interplay between indigenous and exogenous elements (Egyptian, Syrian, Mesopotamian, Aegean, Anatolian) in shaping polytheistic beliefs and practices through the analysis of four types of data – funerary, architectural, iconographic and textual. Thus, the project addresses a new scientific perspective emphasizing the use of material culture to understand the connection between humans and the divine. The focus is on the unravelling of past religious hybridization to grasp how the second millennium cultural and religious intermingling persisted in the syncretic experience leading to the construction of the Israelite monolatry in the first millennium BCE.
Geostatistical mapping of pottery variation: the northern lands of western Asia during the Middle Bronze Age
Abstract
This paper challenges conventional mapping methods of Bronze Age ceramic variation in western Asian archaeology, which often oversimplify the complexity of cultural phenomena. Drawing on geostatistical techniques, we propose a novel approach that considers both similarities and differences in ceramic traits. By incorporating Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) and kriging interpolation techniques, our methodology aims to provide a nuanced representation of pottery distribution, moving beyond static cultural-historical mapping. We argue that this approach offers a more comprehensive understanding of archaeological landscapes by acknowledging the diversity of pottery variation. Through a case study utilising legacy pottery data – which will be published in the future according to the FAIR principles – we demonstrate the practical application and potential insights of our methodology, which seeks to advance archaeological methods and contribute to a richer interpretation of the past.
Legacy data or just archaeological data?
Abstract
The world of research is currently undergoing a profound transformation, characterized by the extensive use of digital data available online. To optimize the utilization of these resources, artificial intelligence offers researchers several tools capable of aggregating both structured and unstructured information. The need to train algorithms to enhance the use of artificial intelligence techniques in data classification has led to the creation of structured datasets. However, it is not always possible to fully automate the transfer of data to more modern environments without substantial human intervention, aimed at extracting the implicit knowledge present in digital data. The category of CAD data appears to be particularly challenging in terms of automated management of spatial resources. The use of graphical entities for digital drawings, without semantically identified components, makes automatic conversion into GIS extremely complex. The paper is based on a partial test conducted on a cartographic archive that has been formed over 70 years of field research, aiming to demonstrate the importance of prioritizing legacy spatial data, both digital and non-digital, as archaeological data.
Investigating resilient Roman agricultural landscapes in southern Italy. An integrated and open IT approach to modeling centuriation
Rodolfo Brancato, Veronica Ferrari, Immacolata Ditaranto, Pasquale Merola, Irene Rossi
Abstract
The In.Res.Agri project aims to optimize the understanding of Roman agricultural landscapes in Southern Italy by integrating topographical, archaeological, environmental, and textual data within an innovative data-science platform. It focuses on examining the resilience of Roman agrarian landscapes, specifically through elements such as centuriation, route networks, and settlement patterns. The project employs both traditional survey methods and advanced technologies to recover, interpret, and manage archaeo-topographical data related to centuriation. Key methods include using Machine Learning for the automatic detection of centuriated fields, spatial analysis of both legacy and new data, and the use of annotated epigraphic and literary sources. All collected data will be implemented into the Digital_Groma platform, which will feature a digital archive and a webGIS for data display and querying; data will be exposed adhering to FAIR principles. In.Res.Agri will focus on regions in Campania (Vesuvian Area, Irpinia) and Puglia (Tavoliere), exploring the link between contemporary landscapes and Roman centuriated agro-ecosystems. This research is crucial for understanding the impact of environmental changes on Cultural Heritage, aligning with the priorities of the European Commission and UNESCO. The Digital_Groma platform will be accessible to researchers, tourists, and public institutions involved in archaeology, urban planning, and cultural heritage protection.
Use and processing of multispectral images in proximity remote sensing
Abstract
The contribution presents the results of a research that involves the use of data acquired by a multispectral camera transported by a UAV and their analysis and interpretation in the context of archaeological diagnostics. The experimentation expected the acquisition of multispectral images and the extraction of all the possible vegetation indexes on the basis of the spectral bands of the specific camera used (Sentera 6X). The tests, carried out in different contexts (Antium, Nersae), analyze the readability of the index data extracted from multispectral images in comparison with the marks visible in the panchromatic images, especially considering cases in which the marks are visible only in processed indices that interpolate the NIR band.
Evaluation of SfM and LiDAR technology for mapping inscribed artifacts. Preliminary observations starting from the research project ‘Ravenna and Its Late Antique and Medieval Epigraphic Landscape’
Abstract
Focusing on Late Antique epigraphic and architectural artifacts preserved in Italian and Greek contexts – starting from the research project ‘Ravenna and its Late Antique and Medieval Epigraphic Landscape’ – this study assesses the effectiveness of Structure from Motion (SfM) and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) in generating 3D models suitable for sharing as open data within digital collections. The analysis compares the speed and accessibility of SfM and LiDAR in producing reconstructions, as well as their precision in capturing engravings and decorations. In fact, the research project on Epigraphy from Ravenna, under the guidance of Prof. S. Cosentino at the Department of Cultural Heritage of the Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, aims to digitize inscriptions in Ravenna spanning from 402 to 1441. A key project objective is to establish a digital platform that
3D LiDAR modeling with iPhone Pro in an archaeo-spelaeologic context. Results and prospects
Daniele De Simone, Graziano William Ferrari
Abstract
For some years now, both in the archaeological and speleological fields, experiments have been carried out with portable MLS (Mobile Laser Scanner) or HMLS (Hand-held Mobile Laser Scanner) scanners that use LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. This choice is due to their basic characteristics such as ease of use, reliability, efficiency and (a fact not to be underestimated) low costs compared to traditional indirect survey systems. These characteristics have made these tools extremely popular, especially since this technology can be used by owners of Apple devices, which has made it available for its tablets and smartphones, thanks to the ever-increasing sensor miniaturization. On the basis of some encouraging data presented in an archaeometry paper (Fiorini 2022) and from direct experiences in various underground sites proposed by several Italian caving groups, the authors have decided to test the device performance in the context of exploration and research on artificial cavities in the archaeological field which, very often, due to size and constraints, do not allow the use of other devices. Through the presentation of some case studies, it was possible to show the advantages and the limitations in the use of this technique in the archaeo-spelaeological field.
GIS integration of heterogeneous data for the archaeological topography of the ‘Acquedotto del Paradiso’, Syracuse
Abstract
This study explores the GIS legacy data integration for a reassessment of the archaeological topography of Syracuse, with a focus on the Acquedotto del Paradiso. The research updates the understanding of Syracuse’s ancient waterscape by combining traditional archaeological methods with advanced digital technologies. Legacy data, historical maps, and recent fieldwork were systematically integrated into a GIS software, enhancing the spatial analysis and re-evaluation of the aqueduct’s route and construction phases. The study incorporated topographical bases, LiDAR point clouds, and autoptic analyses, revealing new insights into the aqueduct’s structural phases, including potential multi-phase construction and a double gallery system. The integration of these diverse datasets not only refined the known path of the aqueduct but also provided a detailed 2D and 3D visualization of it. This multidisciplinary approach emphasises the importance of combining traditional and modern techniques to improve the accuracy of archaeological topography, offering a more comprehensive understanding of ancient urban water supply systems in Syracuse.
Digital strategies for enhancing cultural heritage: the Villa del Casale of Piazza Armerina Project, from legacy data to digital ecosystem
Abstract
The paper highlights the crucial role of legacy data in reconstructing archaeological sites and historical landscapes, emphasizing the need for digitization to safeguard and democratize access to heritage. Focused strategies for digital acquisition are essential, particularly in regions like Sicily with diverse cultural heritage facing challenges of preservation in the digital age. The project ‘Digital strategies for enhancing cultural heritage: the Villa del Casale of Piazza Armerina, from the late antique building site to the Museum Collection’ exemplifies this approach. Its foundation, aiming to bridge the gap between the Palazzo Trigona Museum and Villa del Casale through a web-based digital ecosystem, is firstly presented here. By adopting a multidisciplinary methodology, the project aims to gather scattered legacy data, advance scientific understanding, and develops precise datasets through historical research and digitization. The resulting digital ecosystem will feature immersive experiences and educational opportunities, enhancing accessibility and interoperability of digital contents. By integrating 3D artifact galleries with virtual models and legacy data, the project seeks to reveal the full potential of Villa del Casale cultural heritage, promoting appreciation and understanding for future generations.
Concluding remarks: looking back and moving forward to the openness and interaction of knowledge
Abstract
Concluding remarks
The H2IOSC project and its impact on digital antiquity within the E-RIHS infrastructure – II
Edited by Alessandra Caravale, Paola Moscati, Irene Rossi
Advancements of the H2IOSC Project: enhancement of digital resources in the Cultural Heritage field targeting archaeology and epigraphy. Introduction to the Special section
Alessandra Caravale, Paola Moscati, Irene Rossi
Abstract
Introduction to section
A new website for the journal «Archeologia e Calcolatori»
Abstract
Over the course of 35 years since its foundation, the open access journal «Archeologia e Calcolatori» has been providing its publications online via the website, as well as open access metadata since 2005 through the OAI-PMH repository. In 2024, the website underwent a major update and restyling, including the addition of modern interoperability features, most notably the newly implemented JSON REST API. This paper is concerned with the technical description of the design and development of the new website and additional functionalities for «Archeologia e Calcolatori», while also giving a short overview of how the journal’s online presence has evolved over time. The exchange of data between the journal’s REST API and the Open Archaeology Hub (ArchaeoHub) currently being developed in the context of the H2IOSC project is described as well. Finally, some future perspectives for further improvement are presented.
Verso la costituzione di linee guida per l’esposizione di risorse visuali negli aggregatori europei
Francesca Buscemi, Leonarda Fazio
Abstract
By exploring the importance of archeological images databases in the history of studies, the article presents the digital archiving activities initiated within the PNRR Changes, Spoke 8, Project. The objective of the activities is the attribution of metadata to this type of images, for the purpose of their dialogue with European infrastructures. This process represents a tool for supporting different knowledge paths and maximizing the accessibility of the Cultural Heritage, according to the goals of the Project. The article therefore presents the activity carried out so far, namely the development of a metadata table, developed following the recognition of the main national and international thesauri and taxonomies, as well as a first metadating experiment conducted on a dataset of approximately 600 images from A&C Journal.
An observatory of epigraphic resources on the web: the Open Digital Epigraphy Hub
Abstract
The Open Digital Epigraphy Hub (EpiHub) is an open access digital platform developed to streamline accessibility and organization of resources in digital epigraphy. Created within the Humanities and Cultural Heritage Italian Open Science Cloud (H2IOSC), EpiHub addresses the fragmented landscape of digital epigraphic resources, which span disciplines like linguistics, philology, and archaeology. Offering a comprehensive catalogue of national and international resources – such as datasets, digital tools, geographical and chronological gazetteers, dictionaries, and text-processing software – EpiHub structures these assets through descriptive metadata to facilitate discoverability and usability for researchers and practitioners across diverse cultural and temporal scopes. The platform’s flexible back-end architecture supports efficient data management and real-time updates to enhance front-end accessibility, organizing resources by thematic collections and allowing advanced searches based on specific epigraphic needs, such as language, geographic region, or historical period. Emphasizing FAIR principles, EpiHub standardizes metadata and controlled vocabularies to foster broader interoperability and data reuse across research projects. Integrated with related H2IOSC resources, including H-SeTIS and DHeLO, EpiHub aims to become a central resource, continuously enriched to support collaboration and innovation within the digital epigraphy community.
Recensioni
Volume index
- ArcheoFOSS 2023. Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Open Software, Hardware, Processes, Data and Formats in Archaeological Research (Turin, 12-13 December 2023)
- Linking Pasts and Sharing Knowledge. Mapping Archaeological Heritage, Legacy Data Integration and Web Technologies for Modelling Historical Landscapes (Naples, 13th-14th November 2023)
- The H2IOSC project and its impact on digital antiquity within the E-RIHS infrastructure – II
- Recensioni
Publishers:
CNR - Istituto di Scienze del Patrimonio Culturale
Edizioni All'Insegna del Giglio
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