This study shows and discusses an innovative approach devised for archaeological feature detection using unmanned aerial system (UAS) LiDAR and an open-source probabilistic machine learning framework. The methodology employs a Random Forest classification algorithm within CloudCompare’s 3DMASC plugin to analyse dense LiDAR point clouds. The main steps include classifier training, hyperparameter adjustment and point cloud segmentation to produce digital terrain models (DTM), digital feature models (DFM) and digital surface models (DSM). Experimenting different parameters led to the determination of the best set to be employed for the training model. Subsequent data enhancement with the Relief Visualisation Toolbox (RVT) refines the visibility of archaeological features, particularly within complex and heavily vegetated terrain. The use case selected to validate this approach is the site of Kastrí-Pandosia in Epirus (Greece), which is particularly suitable for LiDAR analysis by UAS. This approach significantly improves archaeological detection and interpretation, revealing previously inaccessible or obscured microtopographic and structural features. The results highlight the site’s defensive walls, terracing and potential anthropogenic routes, underlining the methodology’s effectiveness in detecting archaeological landscapes at multiple levels. This study emphasises the utility of accessible and open-source solutions for the identification of archaeological features, promoting cost-effective methods to improve the documentation of sites in remote or difficult locations.

The study focuses on the integrated use of multiscale and multisensor remote sensing techniques and big data analysis for the identification of buried archaeological remains or areas of potential archaeological interest. Satellite multispectral data (at very high and high resolution), drone based visible, multispectral, and thermal imagery, and geophysical prospecting (gradiometer) were used. The ancient city of Metaponto was chosen as case study, as it was a very important city in the formative panorama of Italian Magna Graecia and it also is one of the most important and best preserved archaeological sites in southern Italy. The analysis of remote sensing data from different sensors, with different resolutions, and referable to different physical parameters, allowed to deepen archaeological knowledge on a landscape scale, as well as on a site scale, going from the analysis of traces of the ancient landscape (e.g. palaeo-channels, canalisation system, main roads), to the discovery of small features (e.g. secondary roads, houses, facilities).

Pollen analysis of a late medieval layer (15th–16th century AD) recovered in the archaeological site of Kastrì (Epirus, Greece) highlighted the occurrence of large amounts of stephanocolpate Lamiaceae pollen grains. Morphometric analysis, by means of Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy, allowed three different pollen types to be identified within the family. In particular, the structure of the bireticulate exine, which is only visible under SEM observation, revealed to be a diagnostic feature for genus and even species identification. This was possible thanks to comparison with modern Lamiaceae species that were selected on the basis of pollen morphological similarity and geographical distribution. The results of comparison, achieved through K-nearest neighbour classification, led to ascribe the subfossil pollen types to the genera Salvia, Mentha and Thymus and to propose S. nemorosa/glutinosa/pratensis, M. arvensis and T. praecox as the most probable species to be associated with the subfossil grains. The significance of such a large quantity of Lamiaceae pollen is not easy to decipher. However, the co-occurrence in the sample of grazing indicators would suggest that these aromatic herbs were probably related to feeding or caring for flocks, in line with the archaeological interpretation of the investigated medieval structure as a shelter for shepherds as well as with the current use of these plants as forage supplements.

This paper is focused on the archaeological area of Metaponto (Mexomov-nov) and its territory, located in southern Italy. The area played an important role for the agricultural economy and the traffic of goods and people, from the south of Italy towards the central regions, starting from the Neolithic period, and reaching the zenith with the Greek polis of Metaponto and its hinterland. The site is herein analyzed through an integrated use of several Earth observation and remote sensing technologies and ancillary data produced over the years by archaeologists and scholars. The aim was to identify new buried elements of archaeological interest, for the reconstruction of the historical-archaeological landscape. Through the combined use of optical and radar satellite images, high-resolution images obtained by Unmanned Aerial System (visible, multispectral, and thermal infrared), geophysical data, and archival data, it was possible to deepen the knowledge of the area, in particular the “Castrum” area, identifying new buried evidence (structures, roads, and elements of the ancient landscape).

The Post-graduated School of Archaeological Heritage of Matera annually promotes, within the project CHORA, Laboratories of Archeaology in Basilicata, the campaigns of intensive archaeological survey in the territory of the ancient chora of Herakleia, between the rivers of Akiris and Siris, together with the stratigraphic excavation on the hill of S.M. d’Anglona (ancient Pandosia). These are two actions of a unitary landscape archaeology project characterized by a highly integrated approach: the archaeological activity, in collaboration with other disciplinary sectors, is linked to the themes of identifying the agricultural resources of the ancient territory of Herakleia

P. Polymeropoulou1, A. Kameas1, I. Papadatos2, A. Kalara2, F. Sogliani3, D. Roubis3, P. Tóth4, J. Malíšková4 1DAISSy research group, Hellenic Open University (GREECE) 2National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GREECE) 3University of Basilicata (ITALY) 4Masaryk University (CZECH REPUBLIC)

The study of stone artifacts and their provenance is an important proxy for understanding the entangled relationship between humans and geological resources. In this paper, we explore the potentialities of an interdisciplinary approach combining in situ documentation of tool marks and characterization of stone types using a near infrared (NIR) portable probe. We argue that this protocol is useful for collecting screening data on objects that cannot be moved or sampled. NIR spectra describe textural and molecular features of the materials and can be used to achieve a preliminary characterization of raw materials. We present a case study from the territory of Montescaglioso (Basilicata, near Matera, Italy), where we combined the analysis of a calcarenite (limestone) quarry, in Masseria D’Alessio, which was exploited since the 6th century BC, as well as artifacts of the same chronology from surveys and excavations in the surroundings. The aim was to collect preliminary data about the distribution of the particular calcarenite extracted from the quarry and identify exploitation and trade patterns. The data were processed using multivariate statistics to highlight the relevant spectral information and perform supervised classification of spectral features. Documentation of tool marks and the process of stone working were combined with the spectral signature of the artifacts to link the stone types to the description of their extraction/carving methods.

Il territorio comunale di Calvello e ubicato nel cuore dell’Appennino Lucano, nella porzione nord-occidentale della Basilicata. Il centro demico, distante circa 40 Km a S da Potenza, sorge in buona parte su di un colle ad un’altitudine massima di m 795 s.l.m., di fronte al versante settentrionale del monte Volturino. Alle pendici del colle scorre la fiumara ‘La Terra’, affluente del Camastra, che divide l’abitato da un borgo, Sant’Antuono, sorto fuori delle mura in eta tardo medioevale. L’intero territorio e caratterizzato da un ricco patrimonio culturale, archeologico, paesaggistico e monumentale, in gran parte ancora poco noto e che necessita degli indispensabili interventi di studio, conservazione e valorizzazione. In quest’ottica ha preso avvio nel 2013 un progetto di ricerca promosso dall’Amministrazione comunale e affidato alla Scuola di Specializzazione in Beni Archeologici dell’Universita degli Studi della Basilicata e all’Istituto per i Beni Archeologici e Monumentali del CNR, sezione di Potenza, volto ad approfondire le conoscenze su tale patrimonio e ad attuare interventi di fruibilita e divulgazione. L’attenzione e stata rivolta innanzitutto ad una porzione di territorio a sud-ovest dell’abitato, in localita S. Pietro in cui, gia nel 2010 la Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Basilicata aveva segnalato alcune evidenze relative ad insediamenti rurali di fine IV – inizi III secolo per le quali, in data 5/07/2010 aveva comunicato al Comune di Calvello l’avvio del procedimento per la sottoposizione a tutela diretta dei beni. La stessa area include un Cenobio benedettino intitolato a S. Pietro risalente al XII-XIV secolo, ormai in stato di rudere. Le attivita di ricerca, sviluppatesi nel corso del 2013-2014, hanno riguardato in primo luogo la realizzazione di campagne di ricognizione archeologica negli areali circostanti il cenobio, seguite dalla catalogazione e studio dei manufatti identificati nel corso del survey; contemporaneamente si e proceduto allo studio delle fonti edite sul manufatto architettonico di S. Pietro e allo spoglio della bibliografia ed in seguito alla realizzazione di campagne fotografiche e di rilievo delle strutture e delle tecniche edilizie relative al complesso edilizio. Al fine di comprendere l’eventuale presenza di strutture sepolte pertinenti il cenobio, di cui e rimasto in alzato solamente l’edifico di culto con annessi di eta moderna, le indagini preliminari sono state integrate da una campagna intensiva di indagini archeogeofisiche (indagini georadar e geomagnetiche) e da rilievi aerei e topografici per la redazione della cartografia digitale della zona.

The paper deals with the results of an archaeo-geophysical approach adopted for the study and the reconstruction of the architectural plan of the medieval monastery of San Pietro a Cellaria in Calvello (Basilicata, Southern Italy). The monastery is a remarkable witness to Benedectine architecture of the 12-13th century in Basilicata, built by monks of the Congregation of S. Maria di Pulsano, who were active mainly in southern Italy. The historical data and the diachronic architectural study, based on the analysis of building techniques, provide evidence for a long and intense history, during which the monastery underwent several architectural changes, including the demolition of buildings and the superposition of other constructional elements. The only preserved medieval remains are a church with a nave; the adjacent structures are more recent. This preliminary data prompted a research project to shed new light on the as yet unknown history of the medieval monastery. Specifically, a remote sensing approach around the monastery including aerial survey by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and geomagnetic survey in gradiometric configuration (MAG), was adopted in order to verify the possible existence of buried masonry structures and other possible features of archaeological interest, including channels and aqueducts. The GPR time slices were constructed from closely spaced parallel profiles. The time slices, computed by averaging radar reflections over vertical time windows several nanoseconds thick, are used to map subsoil features associated with the structures, probably of anthropogenic origin. To facilitate the interpretation of the results, a threedimensional image was constructed using closely spaced parallel profiles, which are linearly interpolated. The MAG survey was carried in gradiometer configuration, in order to study magnetic properties of the shallow subsoil. Ground-penetrating radar gives details about archaeological structures in a limited area where survey was possible, while gradiometer survey confirms GPR results and improves archaeological knowledge in the areas where GPR survey was impossible. This multi-sensor remote sensing program revealed a wide variety of archaeological features of interest, which may be targeted accurately with excavations in the future.

Nel territorio di Calvello (Potenza), Basilicata, un nuovo progetto di ricerca archeologica ha riguardato le pendici settentrionali del monte Volturino (Appennino lucano), finalizzato a comprendere le dinamiche di occupazione e sfruttamento di un area montana tra età antica ed età post antica, quest’ultima segnata dalla fondazione del complesso monastico di S. Pietro di Cellaria. La maggior parte delle aree di frequentazione è inquadrabile tra IV e III sec. a.C. ed è caratterizzata da una rete di apprestamenti rurali, legati ad attività agricole e pastorali. Uno degli obbiettivi del progetto riguarda la stretta relazione tra la distribuzione delle unità rurali, la concentrazione delle sorgenti e l’esistenza di tracciati tratturali utilizzati fino a tempi recenti. Il progetto per l’età medievale ha preso in considerazione l’area occupata dal cenobio di S. Pietro, pertinenza della Congregazione Pulsanese. Il survey e l’analisi delle murature sono state arricchite da un’intensa campagna di prospezioni archeogeofisiche, finalizzate all’individuazione di eventuali strutture sepolte. In the territory of Calvello (Potenza), Basilicata, a new archaeological research project covered the northern slopes of Mount Volturino (Lucanian Apennines), aims to understand the dynamics of exploitation of a mountainous area between antiquity and Middle Age, marked by the foundation of the monastery of St. Peter in Cellaria. Most areas are datable between 4th and 3rd centuries. B.C. and are characterized by a network of rural sites, related to agricultural and pastoral activity. The project focuses the close relationship between the distribution of rural units, the wellsprings concentration and the sheep tracks used until now. The project for the Middle Ages takes into account the area occupied by the monastery of St. Peter, tied to the Pulsanese Congregation. Survey campaigns and walls analysis and documentation were followed by an intense campaign of archeogeofi sics prospecting, aimed to discover buried elements.

Remote sensing techniques have been widely used since the 1990s in landslide research, deploying for this purpose different spatial and spectral resolution imagery. This research includes photo-interpretation and inventory of large landslides, determinant factors analysis, stereo-plotting of movements, and automatic detection by textural analysis. The potential or intrinsic factors of landslides include geological and morphological factors, while the external or triggering factors include earthquakes, climate, and hydrological and human activities (deforestation, the expansion of urban areas, and the increase of agricultural activity). In this paper, the variations of land use are analyzed using a historical series of aerial-photographic and satellite data (1988 – 2006). Land use affects the stability of landslides. In this paper the proposed model has been applied in the Montescagliso municipality (Basilicata, Southern Italy).

The article aims at presenting some aspects of environmental reconstruction through pollen analysis from archaeological contexts. The anthropogenic pollen transport into archaeological sites is regarded as an interesting tool to improve knowledge on flora and vegetation in the area of influence of sites. The zoophilous plants can be found more easily than in the regional airborne pollen rain where anemophilous pollen is generally overrepresented. Moreover, pollen from archaeological contexts is mainly a result of the cultural landscape shaped by human activities. Two case studies from the Bradano Valley (Basilicata, southern Italy), rich in archaeological sites dating altogether from the Middle Bronze Age to the Medieval age, are reported. Difesa San Biagio and its surroundings is one of the biggest settlements of the area, settled in early times by Enotrians. Altojanni is an extended area mainly frequented in Hellenistic, Roman late Imperial and Medieval times. A very open landscape, and clear signs of plant exploitation and cultivation, breeding and settlements were present in the two sites. Though samples are disturbed and preservation problems are sometimes observed, the main characters of pollen spectra are recurrent. High percentages of Poaceae and Cichorioideae, together with coprophilous fungal spores, strongly suggest a long tradition of pastoral activities. These case study examples suggest that human activities would have produced a fairly xeric environment.