Remote sensing for underwater archaeology: case stud-ies from Greece and Eastern Mediterranean

Abstract

Modern underwater remote sensing technology introduces many advantages that extend the range of conventional diving work providing the means to survey in a detailed and systematic fashion large seafloor area. There are two general approaches regarding the application of these techniques in underwater archaeology; they are being increasingly used to identify, locate and map (i) ancient and historical shipwrecks lying on the seafloor or partly buried in it and (ii) the coastal palaeogeogra-phy and thus submerged sites of archaeological interest (submerged ancient cities, settlements, ports and man-made structures). The underwater remote sensing techniques most commonly applied to underwater archaeology employ: (i) single and multi-beam echosounders (ii) side scan sonar (acousting imaging), (iii) laser line scan (optical imaging) (iv) subbottom profiler, (v) marine magne-tometer and (vi) undersea vehicles. The objectives of this paper are twofold: (i) to present the results of remote sensing surveys that carried out at sites of archaeological and historical interest, in Greece (Dokos Island, ancient harbour of Kyllene and Navarino Bay whereas a historical naval Battle took place) and in Eastern Mediterranean Sea (Alexandria Egypt and Mazotos shipwreck Cyprus), and (ii) to prove the applicability of remote sensing techniques in underwater archaeology showing that a combination of these can be a very effective tool.

A Semi-Automatic-Based Approach to the Extraction of Underwater Archaeological Features from Ultra-High-Resolution Bathymetric Data: The Case of the Submerged Baia Archaeological Park

“…The greatest challenges in the case of submerged archaeological sites lie in breaking down the physical barrier between the archaeologists and the monument, represented by water, an issue already dealt with for more than a decade now by archaeologists, conservationists, and communication experts [16,17]. With the development and application of RS and EO techniques applied to CH sites, several techniques have also been used for underwater CH sites (UCH), including the use of both passive and active sensors [18,19]. In the case of passive sensors, techniques based on optical sensors are generally used.…”

“…These can be used (i) from above, as in the case of derived bathymetry from aerial, drone, or satellite images [20][21][22][23][24], or (ii) from operators, boats, and ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles), as in the case of the analysis and reconstruction of submerged features using three-dimensional photogrammetry [25][26][27][28]. The active sensors used in RS UCH include the use of electromagnetic and sound waves (sonar), such as (i) single-and multi-beam echosounders, (ii) side-scan sonar, (iii) laser scanners (often combined with optical imaging), (iv) sub bottom profiler, (v) marine magnetometry, and (vi) depth geoelectrics [18,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42].…”

A Virtual Reality application for the exploration of a modern shipwreck: the case study of the Christoforos wreck

“…Many archaeological sites have been already 3D reconstructed and can be experienced using VR technologies [11], [12]. For this scope, different methodologies and techniques have been developed and improved during the time [13], [14], [15].…”

Exploring modern shipwrecks using digital technologies: the case study of the Christoforos Shipwreck

“…Many archaeological sites have been already 3D reconstructed and can be experienced using VR technologies [6] [7]. For this scope, different methodologies and techniques have been developed and improved during the time [8][9] [10].…”