Strumenti per la tutela e la ricerca del patrimonio sommerso in Toscana

Per meglio comprendere l’attività di ricerca e tutela del patrimonio sommerso in Toscana può essere utile tracciare un quadro riassuntivo di alcune tappe segnate negli ultimi vent’anni dall’Istituzione preposta al controllo dei beni culturali di provenienza subacquea. Il concetto di tutela non può essere scisso da quello di ricerca (non si può tutelare ciò che non si conosce), e la tutela stessa non deve limitarsi a una rigida serie di divieti, tanto sterili quanto pericolosamente orientati a..

A low-cost pipeline for semi-real time underwater site study

This work presents an innovative and low- cost pipeline conceived for the complete study of underwater sites. The pipeline is inserted in a more complex control scheme, developed with the final aim of obtaining very accurate documentations. Underwater data can be gathered by both divers and robots, and elaborated using a dedicated cloud computing system, which gives to researchers a 3D reconstruction of the explored area and a 3D print of the model in semi-real time. Higher quality 3D models and the relative print can also be obtained in post-processing; the relative outputs are available in the most common formats and in a virtual reality environment. The definition of a structured methodology with the terms of control theory will allow the characterization of analytical indexes useful to evaluate the quality of the investigation

LOW COST DIGITAL PHOTOGRAMMETRY FOR UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE SURVEY AND ARTIFACT ISERTION. THE CASE STUDY OF THE DOLIA WRECK IN SECCHE DELLA MELORIA-LIVORNO-ITALIA.

In the frame of the new ‘CIPA, Heritage, Documentation’ task group dedicated to underwater photogrammetry three laboratories from different disciplines have started to work together. We present here a work in progress on an underwater excavation of a Roman imperial wreck located in Secche della Meloria, in front of Livorno, Italy. Secche della Meloria have always represented a tough peril for sailing, but also a due passage in Northwestern Tyrrenian courses, with a particular regard for those around Portus Pisanus. The surveys led by Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana (Nucleo Operativo Subacqueo) from 1993 to nowadays, enabled to localize two Roman imperial wrecks (among the other findings), conventionally named Meloria B and C, or Dolia Wreck and Marbles Wreck. The Dolia Wreck, situated at the center of the Secche, shows a concentration of dolia wall and lip fragments spread on about 9x6 meters area, part on the sand bottom and part hidden by posidonia (Posidonia oceanica) bushes at 6 meters depth. The larger fragments concentration is placed close by the posidonia, whose roots reach 2 meters height, maybe hiding part of the cargo load; other dolia large fragments have been found under a thin sand layer, close by the posidonia. Hull plank wooden elements showed up under a lip fragment; they seem to be also under the ware concentration. The Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana is starting the archaeological excavation with a three-dimensional modeling program of this site. Three main goals were followed in this work. The first one is to record data before the next step of the excavation, which will be surely destructive. The photogrammetric approach is particularly relevant by the use of both geometrical data and qualitative data coming from the use of the photograph. The second goal is to insert, in the three D model obtained, three D representation of some dolia large fragments currently not present on the site for different reasons and, on the other hand, to insert some representation of entire dolia funded both on some measured fragment and archaeological hypothesis regarding the dolia classification. The third goal is to obtain a three D representation of the site usable as an interface between geometrical representation and a large set of archaeological data.

Robotic tools and techniques for improving research in an underwater delicate environment

The use of versatile and multipurpose robotic systems in underwater sites constitutes a high-value technology, useful in the exploration, monitoring, and documentation of important archaeological findings or biological parameters. Intervention must always be nondestructive, noninvasive, and delicate; for this reason, it is important to develop tools and systems that allow telepresence and improve the pilot’s ability to work in conditions and environments that are dangerous and often inaccessible for divers. One of the most important objectives of underwater robotic research includes developing easy-to-use devices and systems that can safely and efficiently be operated by relatively inexperienced operators. Nowadays, archaeological and marine sanctuaries require a significant budget to be studied and preserved by national and international organizations because of their large number and the challenges related to conducting surveys with “light” equipment and robots. This paper presents a set of tools and technological solutions developed with the common aim of improving the efficiency of diving operations and commercial low cost micro-ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) in surveying and documenting fragile underwater sites. In particular, this paper describes a force feedback joystick for ROV precise guidance and positioning, an innovative 3D live streaming capability for better perception of the work environment, and an innovative cloud strategy for processing, archiving, and elaborating on underwater data at the time of survey. Results have demonstrated that the developed tools significantly improve the efficiency of survey investigations performed directly by scientists and that they have a variety of applications and their design prepares them for future integration. Keywords: underwater site exploration, technology for divers, remotely operated vehicles, underwater archaeology

Ricerche et scavi a Albinai (Grosseto)

International audienc

Underwater cartography for archaeology in the VENUS project

Canadian Institute of Geomatics Special issue on Marine GeomaticsInternational audienceno abstrac

Underwater cartography for archaeology in the VENUS project

Canadian Institute of Geomatics Special issue on Marine GeomaticsInternational audienceno abstrac