Next Article in Journal
Evaluation of Moraine Sediment Dam Stability Under Permafrost Thawing in Glacial Environments: A Case Study of Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim Himalayas
Previous Article in Journal
A Comprehensive Review of Multimodal Analysis in Education
Previous Article in Special Issue
Traditional and New Sensing Techniques Combination for the Identification of the Forgotten “New Flour-Weighing House” in Valencia, Spain
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Applied Sciences
Volume 15
Issue 11
10.3390/app15115893
applsci-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Heritage in Danger: Digital Conservation and a Reserve for the Future of the Benzú Rock Shelter and Cave (Ceuta, Spain)

by
Alejandro Muñoz-Muñoz
1,
José Ramos-Muñoz
1,
Eduardo Vijande-Vila
1,
Juan Jesús Cantillo-Duarte
1,
José Luis Ramírez-Amador
2,
Salvador Domínguez-Bella
2,
Serafín Becerra-Martín
3,
Eduardo Molina-Piernas
2,* and
Diego Fernández-Sánchez
4
1
Department of History, Geography and Philosophy, University of Cádiz, 11003 Cádiz, Spain
2
UGEA-PHAM, Department of Earth Science, Universidad de Cádiz, 11519 Cádiz, Spain
3
Museo Histórico de Teba, 29327 Teba, Spain
4
Department of Prehistory, Ancient History and Archaeology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 5893; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15115893
Submission received: 26 March 2025 / Revised: 19 May 2025 / Accepted: 22 May 2025 / Published: 23 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Digital Technology in Cultural Heritage)
Versions Notes

Abstract

The archaeological complex of the Benzú rock shelter and cave, located in Ceuta (Spain), represents a heritage site of significant scientific and historical value that is currently at risk due to natural processes and, in particular, the activity of a nearby quarry. This site has been occupied from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age and consequently has been the subject of systematic research since 2002, focusing on its stratigraphic sequence, lithic technology, exploitation of marine resources, and the connection between both shores of the Strait of Gibraltar. With the aim of preserving this endangered heritage, a methodology based on advanced digital technologies such as photogrammetry, 3D laser scanning, and GNSS georeferencing has been implemented. These tools have enabled the creation of high-precision, three-dimensional models of the rock shelter and the cave, which are useful for both documentation and monitoring of their structural condition. In addition, fracture networks have been identified, revealing a high degree of geotechnical vulnerability, exacerbated by blasting activities at the nearby quarry. The project has produced a digital twin of the site in an open access format, serving not only for preventive conservation but also for its enhancement through virtual tours, augmented reality, and accessible outreach activities. This digitalization has been essential to facilitate the access to heritage, particularly in areas that are physically difficult to access. Finally, the integration of these digital resources into institutional policies for the sustainable management of heritage is proposed, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary approaches that combine archaeology, geotechnology, and scientific communication. The experience at Benzú is presented as a replicable model for the protection, interpretation, and dissemination of heritage sites located in fragile and threatened environments.
Keywords: Benzú rock shelter and cave; strait of gibraltar; heritage; 3D scanning; digital conservation; dissemination Benzú rock shelter and cave; strait of gibraltar; heritage; 3D scanning; digital conservation; dissemination

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Muñoz-Muñoz, A.; Ramos-Muñoz, J.; Vijande-Vila, E.; Cantillo-Duarte, J.J.; Ramírez-Amador, J.L.; Domínguez-Bella, S.; Becerra-Martín, S.; Molina-Piernas, E.; Fernández-Sánchez, D. Heritage in Danger: Digital Conservation and a Reserve for the Future of the Benzú Rock Shelter and Cave (Ceuta, Spain). Appl. Sci. 2025, 15, 5893. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15115893

AMA Style

Muñoz-Muñoz A, Ramos-Muñoz J, Vijande-Vila E, Cantillo-Duarte JJ, Ramírez-Amador JL, Domínguez-Bella S, Becerra-Martín S, Molina-Piernas E, Fernández-Sánchez D. Heritage in Danger: Digital Conservation and a Reserve for the Future of the Benzú Rock Shelter and Cave (Ceuta, Spain). Applied Sciences. 2025; 15(11):5893. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15115893

Chicago/Turabian Style

Muñoz-Muñoz, Alejandro, José Ramos-Muñoz, Eduardo Vijande-Vila, Juan Jesús Cantillo-Duarte, José Luis Ramírez-Amador, Salvador Domínguez-Bella, Serafín Becerra-Martín, Eduardo Molina-Piernas, and Diego Fernández-Sánchez. 2025. "Heritage in Danger: Digital Conservation and a Reserve for the Future of the Benzú Rock Shelter and Cave (Ceuta, Spain)" Applied Sciences 15, no. 11: 5893. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15115893

APA Style

Muñoz-Muñoz, A., Ramos-Muñoz, J., Vijande-Vila, E., Cantillo-Duarte, J. J., Ramírez-Amador, J. L., Domínguez-Bella, S., Becerra-Martín, S., Molina-Piernas, E., & Fernández-Sánchez, D. (2025). Heritage in Danger: Digital Conservation and a Reserve for the Future of the Benzú Rock Shelter and Cave (Ceuta, Spain). Applied Sciences, 15(11), 5893. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15115893

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop