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Digital Reconstruction of Archaeological Sites and Monuments: Some Experiences in South-Eastern Sicily

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Visual Heritage in the Digital Age

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Cultural Computing ((SSCC))

Abstract

Over the past few years, technological innovation has contributed to the development of the methodology to acquire, analyse, use and convey information about cultural heritage. Among all the possible methods for acquiring data, those related to 3D laser scanners (Time of flight or structured light) stand out. By using these technologies it is possible to sample, in a short time and with great accuracy, millions of points from real world objects obtaining a detailed 3D representation. This study presents the results of research carried out on archaeological sites and monuments of South-Eastern Sicily. The case studies presented belong to different type sites and they have been dealt with using methodological approaches chosen for the specific purposes of the study (restoration and conservation project, 3D reconstruction and visualisation, 3D documentation). The comparison between the different case studies might be the starting point for a new standardisation of digital representation of archaeological heritage objects and new methodological procedures.

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Acknowledgments

The study on “Torre Rossa” was conducted in collaboration with the Superintendency of Cultural Heritage of Catania within the project for the “Works for making secure and restoring the Roman sepulchral monument named “Torre Rossa” in Fiumefreddo di Sicilia (Catania)”: Director Architect Giovanna Buda, Director Archaeologist Dr. Francesco Privitera and Surveyor Salvatore Vitale. The 3D data acquisition and processing were carried out by Cettina Santagati and MariateresaGalizia.

The study on the “Terme dell’Indirizzo” was conducted within the research of the Laboratory of Architectural Photogrammetry and Survey. The in situ acquisitions and the alignment of the scans were carried out by Alessia Giuffrida, Mariangela Liuzzo and Cettina Santagati. The following processing included in this publication was carried out by Cettina Santagati.

The study on the Catacombs of San Giovanni was conducted in collaboration with the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology, Inspectorate for the Catacombs of eastern Sicily, Dr. MariaritaSgarlata and Dr. Elisa Bonacini. The 3D data acquisition and processing were carried out by Graziana D’Agostino, Mariateresa Galizia and Cettina Santagati.

We also wish to thank Engineer Matteo Sgrenzaroli (Gexcel) for his assistance during the processing with the Reconstructor software and Architect Federico Uccelli (Leica Geosystem) for his suggestions during the phases of on-site acquisition.

We also wish to thank Agata Aladio for her translation and revisions; finally a special thanks to Eugene Ch′ng and Henry Chapman for their careful help during the review of the chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Architectural Photogrammetry and Survey “Luigi Andreozzi”, Department of Architecture, The University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria No. 6, 95125, Catania, Italy

    Cettina Santagati, Mariateresa Galizia & Graziana D’Agostino

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  1. Cettina Santagati
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  2. Mariateresa Galizia
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  3. Graziana D’Agostino
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Correspondence to Cettina Santagati .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. IBM Visual and Spatial Technology Centre | Digital Humanities Hub, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom

    Eugene Ch'ng

  2. IBM Visual and Spatial Technology Centre | Digital Humanities Hub, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom

    Vincent Gaffney

  3. IBM Visual and Spatial Technology Centre | Digital Humanities Hub, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom

    Henry Chapman

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Santagati, C., Galizia, M., D’Agostino, G. (2013). Digital Reconstruction of Archaeological Sites and Monuments: Some Experiences in South-Eastern Sicily. In: Ch'ng, E., Gaffney, V., Chapman, H. (eds) Visual Heritage in the Digital Age. Springer Series on Cultural Computing. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5535-5_11

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