Introduzione agli Atti delle Giornate di Studio “Archeologia e Nuove Tecnologie: dalla teoria ai protocolli esecutivi” (Siena, 25-27 ottobre 2023)

The definition and understanding of contexts, in this case urban sites, cannot be separated from ‘data coding’ considered as the set of those translation processes, aimed at the objective definition of evidence. This process must necessarily use value (numerical) scales capable of explaining the degree of intensity (quantification) or variability (data quality). The creation of coding tables, used in this case as a collection tool, has a double advantage: the systematization and digitization of data (numérisation des données); the possibility of correlating concepts of a heterogeneous nature (quantity and quality of data; same data from different contexts and/ or chronologies, etc.). This point of arrival also constitutes the only possible starting point for any kind of evaluation regarding the phenomena of transformation peculiar to archaeological scientific research.

The first stage of the Mapping the Archaeological Pre-Columbian Heritage in South America (MAPHSA) initiative integrates transregional datasets from Brazil and Colombia, encompassing a broad spectrum of cultural heritage. MAPHSA aims to construct an integrated database of legacy and new information pertaining to the pre-Columbian archaeological heritage of South America. It aims to provide an open-access digital repository grounded on the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles, thereby facilitating resource accessibility and fostering collaborative research. This database will benefit researchers within the surveyed countries, the international archaeological community, and national heritage agencies, consequently fortifying heritage preservation and promoting cross-border studies. MAPHSA adopts a multidisciplinary approach, combining archival research, remote sensing techniques, machine learning methodologies, and ground surveys to identify and evaluate the preservation status of archaeological sites. The workflow integrates diverse datasets into a Postgres/PostGIS geodatabase, complemented by the Arches information management platform incorporating a CIDOC-CRM ontology data model, drawing insights from analogous large-scale projects. By accentuating the heritage significance of regions such as the Amazon and the often-neglected Cerrado savanna, MAPHSA aims to alter public perceptions and stimulate concerted efforts towards their protection.

In archaeological projects, the acquisition, management, and implementation of excavation data are crucial to the success of the research and the accurate understanding of the historical and cultural context of the sites investigated. Field data acquisition, especially, is the first step in any archaeological research project. This paper will describe the main technologies and methodologies for three-dimensional surveys of archaeological sites and digitization of data acquired in research projects led by the Department of Human Sciences at the University of L’Aquila. The same vector data are used as well in 3D modeling and virtual reality projects in order to make the results of archaeological research understandable even to a non-expert audience.

The rise of AI in archaeology merges algorithmic and material aspects, forming a complex mega-machine reliant on industrial infrastructure, labour, and resources. This materiality shapes a global landscape marked by inequalities and colonial legacies. Creating training datasets involves political and cultural choices, shaping AI’s worldview and biases. AI’s increasing role shifts archaeology from automation to interpretation, urging critical awareness to avoid perpetuating biases. Archaeologists must engage in philosophical reflection and narrative praxis to retain control over archaeological discourse, mindful of ethical responsibilities and potential harm. Ultimately, AI’s role in archaeology demands careful consideration of its impacts, including financial, environmental, and human costs. AI research in archaeology should prioritise people, embracing a broad perspective on how AI can affect human lives while remaining vigilant against potential risks and ethical considerations.

Pottery studies are traditionally linked to methods of surveying and manual documentation of ceramic material. Only recently have they been impacted by the introduction of many auxiliary digital tools (digital cameras, 3D modelling software, etc.) in the last two decades. This contribution presents our preliminary results regarding one of the most recently utilised tools in ceramological studies, the Laser Aided Profiler (LAP). We applied this tool to analyse pottery from the archaeological site of the Byzantine neighbourhood near Pithyon in Gortyn, Crete (GQB). LAP has proved very effective in speeding up the on-site digitalisation of pottery drawing. During this experience, however, we were also faced with a new series of difficulties, trying to push the LAP to its limits. The drawing of complex shapes or specific textures was somehow unsuitable for the instrument. We intend to delve into the empirical methods and practices adopted in the early stages of approaching the use of LAP in GQB, exposing problems and expectations for its use by studying the different types of Gortyn materials.

The LIAAM has been concerned with data storage and data architecture since its inception. A few years ago, a new tool was developed that complements the ‘Carta Archeologica’ DBMS, functional for managing information related to various classes of finds. Recently, QGIS has enabled the setting of ‘One to many’ relationships; this opportunity is particularly interesting for the quantitative and density analysis of finds within stratigraphic deposits; all this without using PostgreSQL and PostGIS, or pyArchInit. This function has allowed bypassing the migration of old databases to other software more integrated in spatial environments and has saved on work hours for the design of new data architectures and interfaces. The first experiments were conducted at the sites of San Galgano and Miranduolo (municipality of Chiusdino, Siena). It was possible to identify quantitative and qualitative anomalies in the space of the villages from the 8th and 9th-10th centuries, which provided new insights for assessing the social composition of the inhabitants and the economy.

The University of Siena has conducted archaeological research in the Byzantine District of the Pythion (GQB) in Gortyn since 2001. Starting in 2021, the project adopted a FOSS GIS, which serves as a repository for legacy data from the excavation CAD and Wiki. This paper aims at describing the methodological framework and practical needs that led to the ideation, set-up and on-field adoption of the GQB intra-site GIS. The archaeological process within the GQB follows a reflexive and multivocal approach. The paper describes how in recent campaigns it has been supported by the GIS, which has proven valuable for aiding interpretation, allowing researchers to query data quickly. Additionally, innovative research methodologies have been experimented with within the GIS, as it enables fast and precise enrichment of the dataset. One notable area of study concerns micro-economic activities based on the spatial distribution of finds. Furthermore, the spatiality of household archaeology in the district has been examined through contextual analysis of finds. Together with the Wiki, the GIS forms the knowledge management infrastructure of the GQB, fostering the development of ideas aimed at the archaeological interpretation of the site.

The project PROTECT – Knowledge for PReventiOn. Technique for repairing seismic damage from medieval period To modern era is a research funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme. The aim of the project was to develop an operational protocol for historic centres based on the application of multidisciplinary analyses that offer the opportunity to document buildings, street facades, aggregates and urban centres at an archaeoseismological level according to methodological criteria defined by the project’s research objectives. One of the results obtained from the experimentation of this approach has been the proposal of an archaeoseismological analysis with an expeditious character. This is an archaeological study that allows a general knowledge of very complex elements from a stratigraphic point of view, such as aggregates or street fronts of alleys, while providing a database to formulate hypotheses on their state of preservation and vulnerability.

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the potential of using a combination of non-invasive methods for investigating large and complex archaeological sites. We present a multidisciplinary project, UrbMinarq, developed by the Institute of Archaeology-Mérida (CSIC-Junta de Extremadura) in collaboration with the University of Extremadura as a case study. This paper presents the preliminary results of the latest work carried out at the sites of Villasviejas del Tamuja (Botija, Cáceres) and El Raso (Candeleda, Ávila) in accordance with the general objectives of this project. Our aim is to demonstrate how a methodological design guided by historical questions and supported by a non-invasive approach can generate new knowledge about the internal anatomy of large, fortified settlements from the Second Iron Age and the beginning of Romanisation in the south-western quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula.

This study employs a multi-disciplinary holistic approach to analyze the vibroacoustic fingerprint of the San Pietro a Corte Longobard complex bell tower (Salerno, Italy), using the Dynamical Finite Element Modeling (DFEM) optimization method introduced here. The DFEM aims at mutually optimizing the integration between a modular monitoring system and a digital model, creating an adaptive ‘phygital system’ through a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach. This work, focusing on the initial phases of DFEM procedure, allowed us to design a preliminary monitoring setup, being supported by field surveys. The use of this phygitalsystem could better inform, in the future, the actions needed to protect the immovable heritage assets and produce new data to support novel interpretations of existing material evidence.

Methodological developments in the field of archaeometry are now providing a better understanding of archaeological finds through the multi-analytical study of the chemical, physical, microstructural and mechanical properties of each material. Interesting advances have been made in the characterization of historic mortars; in addition to the chronological classification and the distinction of individual properties related to the preservation of an architectural artefact, other disciplinary implications focus on the use of highly available geo-resources or demolition waste recycled as aggregates or additives. Recent studies have revealed the adoption of specific additives as promoters of complex standard (C-A-S-H) and alternative (M-A-S-H) pozzolanic processes.

The Alpine settlement of Teglio, Italy, offers a commanding view of the Adda River and nearby passes, pivotal in early medieval times. The ‘Dos del Castel’ hillock, with its medieval structures including the S. Stefano church and ‘Torre de li beli miri’ tower, had remained unexplored archaeologically until recent non-invasive surveys using Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) and UAV multispectral analysis. These methods were applied to detect buried structures and analyze vegetation indices, revealing the presence of walls and possible functional spaces carved into the bedrock. The GPR surveys identified high-reflectivity anomalies indicating masonry structures, while multispectral analysis, despite sparse vegetation, highlighted significant areas of possible archaeological interest. Subsequent excavations confirmed these findings, uncovering walls, a monumental staircase, and other structures, suggesting a long-standing and well-organized occupation of the site. This integrated approach has proven effective, paving the way for new approaches in archaeological prospection.

The archaeological excavation, understood as the destructive practice of stratigraphic deposits, and consequently the entire discipline, suffers from an original sin, which lies in the impossibility of repeating the ‘experiment’. In this direction, for over twenty years, archaeological theory and methodologies have been attempting to harness digital technologies to shape a new virtual direction for the discipline. The experience of excavation, no matter how much we improve our documentation and analysis systems of stratigraphy, will always remain a tangible and non-repeatable experience. However, a conceptual model that leans towards virtual and extended archaeology can be a way to share the excavation action and allow the entire research team and the academic community to decide on the best investigation strategy. A three-dimensional and shared environment also represents an opportunity both in terms of dissemination and education. It enables young archaeologists to test the principles of stratigraphy and accumulate experience before undertaking real actions where mistakes should not be made.

Starting in 2018, the PROMETHEUS H2020 project has been involved in the establishment of analysis methodologies for Cultural Heritage Routes (CHR) associated with historical architectural heritage. The project’s research activities have primarily focused on examining various itineraries, ranging from the regional scale of Russian churches in Upper Kama located in Perm (Russia), to the provincial scale encompassing sites related to James I of Aragon’s conquest in the Kingdom of Valencia (Spain), and to the urban scale encompassing fortifications in the city of Gdansk (Poland). Throughout the project’s duration, digital technologies have been employed and tested to create archives and information systems that aim to devise storytelling strategies for defining, representing, and promoting these routes. This endeavour involves the collaboration of more than 35 researchers from three European countries, who are implementing interdisciplinary synergistic actions to develop knowledge-driven approaches and formulate effective designs for digitally narrating intricate architectures.

The structural safety of built heritage (listed or not) is fundamental to the preservation of historical centers. In many cases, especially in Southern Europe, the different buildings of the urban fabric form a single yet complex structural compound. One of the most difficult phases of the assessment of these structures is the cognitive phase, necessary to develop a shared understanding of the building across various disciplines and areas of expertise, and, which involves the synergy of stakeholders with different backgrounds and the production of heterogeneous data. This article proposes a Linked Data methodology for managing this complex part of the assessment. This methodology is based on using the Historic Survey Ontology (HSV), which the authors developed to manage the documentation associated with various parts of the construction under consideration. HSV, used together with relevant existing ontologies, enables the management of heterogeneous data within a unified, comprehensive model, as demonstrated in the application to a study case.

This article aims to highlight how BIM technology can be both a tool for data collection and study of an archaeological artifact. In so doing, it will take the Domus dei Candelabri Dorati in Cremona, Italy, as a case study to review all the stages leading to the construction of a BIM information model from the data collection phase to the creation of a three-dimensional model. This model includes all the information of the SU in all its phases of life allowing us to follow the development of the building through time. In addition to this, the study of the dataset has the potential to contribute to understanding the dynamics behind the construction of the building, by calculating the time and cost of production of building materials.

In recent years, Apple’s mobile phones and tablets have been equipped with a LiDAR sensor capable of measuring the three-dimensional position of objects and reconstructing their surfaces. Experiments with this sensor began in 2021 and the results were published in the 2022 issue (33.1) of «Archeologia e Calcolatori» (Fiorini 2022). This paper describes the functionality and limitations of the sensor and its use in archaeology, in particular for the documentation of standing structures. This article provides a detailed account of recent activities (2022-2023), preceded by a brief overview of the characteristics of the instrument and its first use in 2021. Tests have shown that the LiDAR sensor is indeed valuable for archaeological work, given its relatively low cost, ease of use and rapid data acquisition compared to other scanning systems. It has proved effective for documenting walls, architectural elements and surfaces, and for quickly creating floor plans and 3D models of small spaces (with a maximum range of about 5 metres). In addition, the LiDAR sensor was effective in complex operating conditions, such as underground environments or corridors with limited manoeuvring space and poor lighting. Further surveys conducted after the initial study confirm the effectiveness of the LiDAR sensor, particularly in these challenging scenarios.

This case study emphasizes the shift from traditional two-dimensional recording methods to to a three-dimensional approach which offers a more integrated understanding of archaeological contexts. This work concerns the Byzantine Quarter of Pythion in Gortyn (Crete) where 3D modelling has been used to reconstruct context and artifacts, enhancing the interpretation of spatial and functional relationships. This approach addresses the limitations of 2D methods, providing a dynamic, immersive way to analyse archaeological sites and fostering a deeper comprehension of ancient social and anthropological dynamics. However, the creation of 3D models involves significant interpretative decisions, highlighting the epistemological challenges in representing and understanding archaeological data. The integration of 3D technologies marks a promising direction for future archaeological research, enabling a holistic view of past societies beyond the constraints of traditional methods.

Archaeology, in its pursuit of advanced methodologies for data analysis and interpretation, has embraced with increasing enthusiasm emerging technologies from the now massive use of drones to recent developments in Artificial Intelligence. As part of the ‘Castelseprio centre of power’ project, the authors began the excavation of the structure known as Casa Piccoli in 2021 with the idea of building a digitized and open source field workflow that not only allows for the processing and archiving of stratigraphic documentation but also aims at the construction of a three-dimensional virtual environment. All the data acquired are transferred into a multi-metaverse (MAPOD4D), created in an open source environment, which offers the possibility of archiving and sharing data in a more accessible way, and of immersive displaying archaeological contexts. This creates the conditions for a complete virtual reconstruction of the excavation context, a sort of digital excavation laboratory that provides a way towards a more open and collaborative methodology, recomposing the contextual unity of the deposits.

The research project on decoding the architectures of Ocre Castle (AQ) aimed to understand the fortified site through the study of the results of archaeological investigations from past years, with the development of a virtual archaeology analysis and subsequent development of multimedia products aimed at disseminating the results. The research focused on analyzing the ruins by acquiring data through hybrid technologies such as laser scanners and drones, with the perspective of a three-dimensional virtual reconstruction of the three main macro phases of the complex. The entire work had an educational purpose in order to make the results accessible to a wide audience, through the production of videos available on online streaming platforms. The article provides a detailed overview of the methodological process used and the results obtained.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of daily life, with applications expanding rapidly. This article focuses on AI’s ability to generate images for archeological purposes, delving into the technical aspects of image generation using deep learning and machine learning technologies. Midjourney and Playground AI, two popular web applications for image generation, are examined in detail, highlighting their functionality and interface differences. The study applies these tools to reconstruct scenarios from the Cistercian Abbey of San Galgano, assessing their accuracy and limitations. While AI-generated reconstructions offer rapid and cost-effective visualization, they often lack precision, especially in incorporating specific archaeological details. The article underscores the need for improved databases containing detailed architectural and archaeological elements to enhance AI-generated reconstructions’ accuracy and relevance.

Archaeogaming is a term coined in 2013 by Andrew Reinhard. It emerged from a grassroots movement in digital archaeology aimed at exploring the use of gaming technologies for studying the past and archaeological representation through video games’ narrative and interactive potential. This research explores the reception of archaeogaming theory in Italy over the 2013-2023, stressing the positive impact of public archaeology in addressing academic misconceptions towards gaming. The shift in perspective led to more projects mixing archaeology and video games and an organic collaboration between academic archaeology and other disciplines. Although archaeogaming is a new area of research in Italy, some trends have already emerged. These reveal both successful elements and missed opportunities. Acknowledging both aspects seems crucial to calibrate future projects on original archaeogaming theory, including co-creating, exploring, and promoting knowledge in the digital space.

Conclusions to the conference