Francesca Di Palma, Roberto Gabrielli, Ilaria Miccoli, Giuseppe Scardozzi
The study of Limes Arabicus using aerial and satellite remote sensing documentation. The case of Umm ar-Rasas (Amman, Jordan)

Limes Arabicus is an excellent laboratory for experimenting with the enormous potential of historical and modern remote sensing data for the identification and recording of fortified centres located along this sector of the Roman Empire s eastern frontier, which then also became the Byzantine Empire s eastern borderline. Remote sensing, in conjunction with modern survey techniques and tools such as photogrammetry and laser scanner surveys, enables the identification, documentation, and study of ancient settlements in this area, as well as the development of site valorisation programmes such as the design of real and virtual routes for better use of archaeological areas. In this paper, a preliminary contribution focused on aerial and satellite remote sensing documentation concerning the site of Umm ar-Rasas (Amman, Jordan), a fortified settlement along the Via Traiana Nova, is presented.

Maisa Almeida, Marcela Sousa, Gustavo Vanini
Significant data and information in complex analysis of the architectural heritage, the Republican Museum of Itu, Brazil

Innovative digital tools make it possible to investigate and understand elements of architectural heritage based on considerations extracted from historical and physical analyses, and to use a large quantity of information acquired with technologically advanced tools (e.g, photogrammetry and image-based modeling systems ). These tools allow us to investigate the form, reconstruct the process of designing, and study formal, proportional, and spatial features of archeological elements. The interrelation between theory, methods and application opens the possibility to achieve complete results as far as archaeological documentation, analysis and interpretation. On one hand, these high precision digital tools realistically show surface qualities; on the other hand, in the process of production of these models, it s possible to extend the knowledge of archaeological artefacts through the investigation of the material and its articulation with other components of the building, it offers a complex process of interpretation of historical aesthetical aspects, materials and surfaces.

Dora Francesca Barbolla, Lara De Giorgi, Ivan Ferrari, Francesco Giuri, Ilaria Miccoli, Giuseppe Scardozzi, Chiara Torre, Giovanni Leucci
Electromagnetic survey to detect a section of the Messapian city walls in Ugento (Lecce)

The Messapian city walls in Ugento (Puglia, in south Italy) are of great archaeological importance and some sections are still visible. In order to locate a stretch of the city walls, a non-destructive geophysical prospection was performed, applying the electromagnetic method. The survey was carried out in a peripheral area of Ugento, near a visible section of the city walls. The analysis and interpretation of the measured electromagnetic data (specifically in this work, the quadrature-phase component) revealed a clear anomaly that could be ascribed to the city walls; in fact, it is aligned with the adjacent section of the visible walls.

Laura Fabbiano, Alessandro De Marco, Manuela Incerti, Anna Castellano, Gaetano Vacca, Rosario Morello
Integrated survey techniques for historical architectures: first results for Santa Maria della Croce in Casaranello, South of Italy

Historic buildings are complex structures because of both materials and construction techniques that have occurred between the different eras, as well as from the historical point of view (periods of abandonment, changes of use, changes on the original plant, etc...). All events leave marks on the building that form layers legible with different techniques and appropriate analytical procedures. In recent decades, stratigraphic analysis of both positive and negative units has been performed through non-invasive and non-destructive techniques.
Here the authors propose a combined analysis of different techniques in order to obtain a complete knowledge of the architectural structure of the building under investigation. The case study chosen is the church called S. Maria della Croce whose architectural vicissitudes are and have been the subject of study for the relevant historical interest of the monument. The investigation techniques identified to analyze the stratigraphic units of the building are 3D scanning, infrared thermography, and ground penetrating radar (GPR) techniques. These investigations aim to understand what was the original function of the building.
In this paper preliminary information of the research activity is reported, related to the thermographic investigation carried out on the front facade of the church object of investigation, through which the authors want to highlight possible traces of occlusions, openings, removal of materials that can clarify the original use of the monument.

Raffaele Martorana, Patrizia Capizzi, Calogero Giambrone, Valeria Genco, Lisa Simonello
GPR and ERT surveys in the Giardino dell’Annunziata in Cammarata (Sicily)

A recovery project has recently involved a garden sited in Cammarata (Southern Sicily), known as Giardino dell Annunziata adjacent to the church of the same name (Chiesa dell Annunziata). In this area, according to the scarce historical sources, there was a Benedictine convent, probably demolished in the eighteenth century. As a diagnostical support some geophysical surveys were carried out project in the garden. A 3D geoelectric survey and 36 Ground Penetrating Radar profiles were carried out which made it possible to reconstruct the corresponding 3D models of the subsoil. A large resistive anomaly has been detected, which has no match in the 3D GPR model. showing only minor surface anomalies. The anomalous area can be due to an original flow route of the river, but it cannot be excluded that it is caused by an artificial channel or even underground environments, subsequently filled with landfill material. Archaeological excavations are planned to better clarify the nature of the anomaly.