Locating and Mapping the Traces of the Covered Ancient Theater of Amphipolis (Eastern Macedonia, Greece)

Abstract

Ancient Amphipolis (Eastern Macedonia, Greece) is one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece. Despite the restricted excavation studies, important monuments have been discovered, such as the city walls and the Macedonian burial site at the Kasta hill, etc. Currently, the location of the ancient theater is unknown and only assumptions can be made regarding its location. In the current study, we aim to detect the accurate location of the ancient theater using archaeological prospection tools, data collected from the excavated sites, and testimonies of people of the modern city. For the first step of the approach, the approximate location of the ancient theater was determined using information derived by archived geospatial data (multi-temporal aerial photographs, satellite image, and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the area) as well as information regarding the neighboring excavated sites. For the in-depth study of the area of interest, a drone was used for the acquisition of high-resolution geospatial data. The generated orthorectified image (3 cm spatial resolution), DTM, and Digital Surface Model (DSM) allowed the determination of the potential location of the buried orchestra’s center using geometric rules for the design of ancient theaters. Furthermore, using the produced DSM and DTM, terrain cross-sections were generated.

Google Earth Revisited

“…Additional data as historical texts, maps, aerial photography, satellite imagery, etc., will be used. The methodological process of using tools of archeology prospection, as in other cases (Georgoula et al 2003, Kaimaris et al 2009, Kaimaris et al 2012, will hopefully lead to safer conclusions about the nature of the marks. Finally, only archaeological excavations can allow the documentation and chronology of the marks, and, therefore, it is imperative to carry out excavation ditches, at least in the positions of the three (3) marks shown in this paper.…”

Small Multispectral UAV Sensor and Its Image Fusion Capability in Cultural Heritage Applications

“…Its horizontal accuracy is approximately ±2 m, its vertical accuracy reaches ±0.5 m, and the angle measurement accuracy (IMU) in the three axes (X, Y, Z) ranges from approximately 1o to 2o (according to the specifications of the autopilot). The lifting capacity of the UAV is 2.5 kg, and the flight time ranges between 10 and 15 min [60].…”

UAV Photogrammetry and 3D Modelling of Complex Architecture for Maintenance Purposes: the Case Study of the Masonry Bridge on the Sele River, Italy

“…In this project, various surveying technologies, such as UAS, total station, digital camera were used in order to map in 3D the remaining of the complex monument Tholos and the surrounding area in Delphi Greece. Kaimaris et al [13] discussed the use of UAV photogrammetry and SfM-MVS approaches in order to locate and map the Traces of the Covered Ancient Theater of Amphipolis (Eastern Macedonia, Greece), which is one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece. Pepe et al [14] discussed the construction of a three-dimensional model involving a photogrammetric method applied to a Roman bridge (called Ponte san Cono) for structural analysis purposes; in this latter study, the building of 3D models using FEM (Finite Element Method), a novel approach that uses Rhinoceros software to 3D reconstruction of the bridge, is discussed.…”