Documentation and Structural Appraisal of the Medieval Manor of Potamia, Cyprus: an Interdisciplinary Approach

This paper aims to present, via a case study, an interdisciplinary approach towards the comprehensive analysis of historic constructions. The case study monument examined is the Medieval Manor of Potamia in Cyprus. The work hereby presented was based on a collaboration between scientists from the fields of archeology, architecture, materials science/ conservation and structural engineering. A thorough review of historical sources was initially carried out in order to obtain data concerning the history and construction development of the Manor. Extensive field work was undertaken to study the architectural typology and construction detailing of the structures and to explicitly map the various agents of pathology. For the characterization of the historic fabric, masonry materials were sampled and studied at the laboratory. The accumulated data facilitated the development of a Finite Element (FE) model, which was used to numerically assess the structure’s seismic response

GEOMATICS AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INNOVATIVE RESEARCH ON HERITAGE: INTRODUCING THE “ENGINEER” PROJECT

This paper aims to introduce the concept and objectives of a recently supported European project entitled “Geomatics and Civil Engineering Innovative Research on Heritage”, in short ENGINEER. The ENGINEER project visions to enhance and extend inter-departmental multidisciplinary research activities of the Department of Civil Engineering & Geomatics of the Cyprus University of Technology through coordination and support actions as well as through targeted research activities with the support of European leading institutions. Project tasks aim to fill research multidisciplinary gaps, push, and extend knowledge into new and innovative fields dealing with the monitoring, digitization, visualization, and preservation of ancient monuments and cultural heritage sites, assisting their protection, promotion, and safeguarding

Exploring the Ancient Kourion City site from the Air Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is a cost-effective technique that can be used to survey large archaeological areas and landscapes compared to traditional methods. Since UAVs are capable of surveying archaeological areas from above, datasets derived on this platform can be used to generate accurate orthophotos, digital surface models (DSMs) and a variety of datasets that can be used to document and identify archaeological areas. This paper provides a detailed methodology for the application of UAVs using a commercial high resolution camera and details postprocessing techniques applied to generate an accurate ortho-photo and DTM to be used to survey the archaeological site and its landscape. A total of 331 images generated from a UAV survey of a portion of the site of Kourion in Cyprus are used to illustrate methods of site documentation and archaeological survey for large archaeological and cultural heritage sites

Cultural heritage management and monitoring using remote sensing data and GIS: The case study of Paphos area, Cyprus

Cultural heritage (CH) sites are threatened from a variety of natural and anthropogenic factors. Innovative and cost effective tools for systematic monitoring of landscapes and CH sites are needed to protect them. Towards this direction, the article presents a multidisciplinary approach, based on remote sensing techniques and Geographical Information System (GIS) analysis, in order to assess the overall risk in the Paphos district (Cyprus). Paphos region has a great deal of archaeological sites and isolated monuments, which reflect the long history of the area, while some of them are also listed in the UNESCO catalogue of World Cultural Heritage sites. Several natural and anthropogenic hazards have been mapped using different remote sensing data and methodologies. All data were gathered from satellite images and satellite products. The results from each hazard were imported into a GIS environment in order to examine the overall risk assessment based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology. The results found that the methodology applied was effective enough in the understanding of the current conservation circumstances of the monuments in relation to their environment as well as predicting the future development of the present hazards

Hazard analysis of active tectonics through geomorphometric parameters to cultural heritage conservation. The case of Paphos in Cyprus

Natural hazards, such as earthquakes, can have a large destructive effect on cultural heritage sites conservation. This study aims to assess from a geospatial perspective the risk from natural hazards for the archaeological sites and monuments and evaluate the potential tectonic activity impact on the cultural and historic heritage. Geomorphometric data derivatives that can be extracted from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) provide information relevant with active tectonics. The specific extracted tectonic information when being used on the basis of analytical hierarchy process and weighted linear combination approach can offer an important robust approach. The ranking of the derived information relatively to specific criteria of weights can enhance the interrelationships and assemblages over neotectonics aspects. The outcomes of that methodological framework can propose an assessment approach for the spatial distribution of neotectonic activity and can become a useful tool to assessing seismic hazard for disaster risk reduction. The risk assessment aspects of such a hazard are being interlinked with the archaeological sites in order to highlight and examine those that are exposed on ongoing tectonic activity and seismic hazard. Paphos area in Cyprus has been used as the test bed for the particular analysis. The results show an important number of archaeological sites being located within zones of high degree of neotectonic activity. © 2014 SPIE

Cultural heritage management and monitoring using remote sensing data and GIS: The case study of Paphos area, Cyprus

Cultural heritage (CH) sites are threatened from a variety of natural and anthropogenic factors. Innovative andcost effective tools for systematic monitoring of landscapes and CH sites are needed to protect them. Towardsthis directi on, the article presen ts a multidisciplinary approach, based on remote sen sing techniques andGeog raphical Infor mation System (GIS) analysis, in order to assess th e overall risk in the Pa phos distr ict(Cyprus). Paphos region has a great deal of archaeological sites and isolated monuments, which reflect thelong history of the area, while some of them are also listed in the UNESCO catalogue of World Cultural Heritagesites. Several natural and anthropogenic hazards have been mapped using different remote sensing data andmethodologies. All data were gathered from satellite images and satellite products. The results from each hazardwere imported into a GIS environment in order to examine the overall risk assessment based on the AnalyticHierarchy Process (AHP) methodology. The results found that the methodology applied was effective enough intheunderstandingofthecurrentconservationcircumstances of the monuments in relation to their environmentas well as predicting the future development of the present hazards

Remote Sensing for Archaeology and Cultural Landscapes: Best Practices and Perspectives Across Europe and the Middle East

This book investigates the added value that satellite technologies and remote sensing could provide for a more sustainable mapping, monitoring and management of heritage sites, be it for purposes of regular maintenance or for risk mitigation in case of natural or man-caused hazards. One of the major goals of this book is to provide a clear overview on policy perspectives, regarding both space policy as well as heritage policy, and to provide possible suggestions for common ground of these two fields, in Europe and around the world. Readers will develop a good understanding of cutting-edge applications of remote sensing and geographic information science, and the challenges that affect heritage maintenance and protection. Particular attention is given to Earth observation and remote sensing techniques applied in different locations. This book brings together innovative technologies, concrete applications and policy perspectives that can lead to a more complete vision of cultural heritage as a resource for future development of our society as a whole