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Remote Sensing
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Geophysics for Mapping, Documentation and Monitoring the “Hidden” Archaeological Resources
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Geophysics for Mapping, Documentation and Monitoring the “Hidden” Archaeological Resources

A special issue of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This special issue belongs to the section "Remote Sensing in Geology, Geomorphology and Hydrology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2025) | Viewed by 11880

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Crescenzo Violante

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Insitute of Heritage Science (ISPC), National Research Council (CNR), Naples, Italy
Interests: acoustic remote sensing; seabed archaeology; underwater cultural heritage; marine geophysics; habitat mapping
Dr. Nikos Papadopoulos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Geophysical Satellite Remote Sensing and Archaeoenvironment (GeoSat ReSeArch Lab), Institute for Mediterranean Studies (IMS), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), Rethymno, Greece
Interests: archaeological geophysics; remote sensing; geoinformatics in cultural/natural heritage and environmental management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past millennia, natural events such as sediment mobility, sea level fluctuations, geodynamics and extreme atmospheric and meteo–marine phenomena have periodically caused the destruction and inundation of human settlements and cultural materials, which are now buried underground or submerged underwater. Currently, these same natural factors, alongside pressures from anthropogenic activities and climate change, formulate a constantly evolving environment that is exposing the trace of past human activity to ultimate decay and destruction. This necessitates planning, organising and implementing actions to document and preserve cultural heritage, ensuring its accessibility and protection for future generations.

Geophysical technologies are among the most effective methods that enable the study of the 'hidden' cultural heritage. They provide fast and cost-effective tools for documenting and monitoring past human activity and landscapes of cultural interest that are buried underground or submerged underwater. Advances in sensor technology, data acquisition methods and computing power have led to the increasing application of geophysics in archaeology, from large-scale site exploration to high-precision three-dimensional reconstruction and long-term monitoring. Currently, geophysical prospection for archaeological research utilises diverse techniques, including seismic, acoustic, optical, electrical, electromagnetic and gravity methods, which provide significant opportunities to redefine the procedures for site mapping, formation, evaluation and protection.

This Special Issue focuses on geophysical methods that are currently used for the study of the Cultural Heritage. Researchers and authors are invited to submit studies covering different uses of geophysical methodologies by different sensors and platforms for the characterisation, mapping and monitoring of terrestrial and underwater archaeology and cultural landscapes. Multisource data integration and multiscale approaches are particularly welcome. Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Terrestrial geophysical imaging (GPR, ERT, Magnetics, Gravimetry) of buried CH.
  • Marine geophysical methods for the documentation, mapping and monitoring of seafloor and subseafloor archaeology and cultural landscape (Multibeam bathymetry, Side Scan Sonar investigation, sub-bottom profiling, ERT, electromagnetic induction).
  • LiDAR technology for marine and terrestrial CH research.
  • Geophysics for spatial modelling of marine and terrestrial archaeological evidence, site formation and cultural heritage protection
  • Integration of geophysical data from multiple platforms (waterborne and airborne drone and vector, underwater robots, GIS, BIM applications) for CH research.
  • Archaeo-geophysical prospections in extreme environments (polar, deep sea, desert).

Dr. Crescenzo Violante
Dr. Nikos Papadopoulos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • terrestrial and underwater cultural heritage
  • cultural landscape
  • geoarchaeology
  • site mapping
  • marine geophysical methods
  • electrical resistivity tomography
  • underwater photogrammetry
  • satellite remote sensing

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 32983 KB  
Article
Integration of Magnetic Survey, LIDAR Data, Aerial and Satellite Image Analysis for Comprehensive Recognition and Evaluation of Neolithic Rondels in Eastern Croatia
by Rajna Šošić Klindžić, Bartul Šiljeg and Hrvoje Kalafatić
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(21), 3508; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17213508 - 22 Oct 2025
Viewed by 857
Abstract
This paper represents the results of ten years of monitoring using satellite imagery and aerial reconnaissance, followed by in-depth analysis utilizing LiDAR data and geomagnetic prospection techniques of the first two Neolithic rondels detected in Croatia—Markušica Brošov salaš and Gorjani Topole. Through the [...] Read more.
This paper represents the results of ten years of monitoring using satellite imagery and aerial reconnaissance, followed by in-depth analysis utilizing LiDAR data and geomagnetic prospection techniques of the first two Neolithic rondels detected in Croatia—Markušica Brošov salaš and Gorjani Topole. Through the exclusive use of satellite and aerial image analysis, we were able to accurately determine the general size, shape, and number of ditches present at the sites under investigation. The wealth of information obtained from these images was sufficient for us to confidently interpret these formations as Neolithic rondels—meeting all the criteria commonly used. The addition of LiDAR data and geomagnetic prospection further enhanced our understanding by revealing a range of additional features and peculiarities across both sites, including within all identified ditch systems. These advanced methods allowed us to uncover details that would otherwise remain invisible through surface observation alone. Our research demonstrates the remarkable power of publicly available satellite imagery as a primary tool for archeological site detection and preliminary interpretation. The results from Markušica and Gorjani emphasize the scientific necessity of combining complementary remote sensing and geophysical techniques to overcome individual methodological limitations, providing robust documentation and interpretation of prehistoric enclosures in highly transformed landscapes. This research contributes novel insights into Neolithic social landscapes, monumentality, and land use strategies in Croatia while offering a methodological model for archeological prospection applicable across Central and Southeastern Europe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geophysics for Mapping, Documentation and Monitoring the “Hidden” Archaeological Resources)
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24 pages, 9744 KB  
Article
iblueCulture: Data Streaming and Object Detection in a Real-Time Video Streaming Underwater System
by Apostolos Vlachos, Eleftheria Bargiota, Stelios Krinidis, Kimon Papadimitriou, Angelos Manglis, Anastasia Fourkiotou and Dimitrios Tzovaras
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(13), 2254; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16132254 - 21 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2024
Abstract
The rich and valuable underwater cultural heritage present in the Mediterranean is often overlooked, if not completely unknown, due to the inherent difficulties in using physical approaches. The iblueCulture project was created to bridge that gap by introducing a real-time texturing and streaming [...] Read more.
The rich and valuable underwater cultural heritage present in the Mediterranean is often overlooked, if not completely unknown, due to the inherent difficulties in using physical approaches. The iblueCulture project was created to bridge that gap by introducing a real-time texturing and streaming system. The system captures video streams from eight underwater cameras and manipulates it to texture and colorize the underwater cultural heritage site and its immediate surroundings in a virtual reality environment. The system can analyze incoming data and, by detecting newly introduced objects in sight, use them to enhance the user experience (such as displaying a school of fish as they pass by) or for site security. This system has been installed in some modern and ancient shipwrecks in Greece and was used for in situ viewing. It can also be modified to work remotely, for example, in museums or educational institutions, to make the sites more accessible and raise public awareness. It can potentially be used in any underwater site, both for presentation and education, as well as for monitoring and security purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geophysics for Mapping, Documentation and Monitoring the “Hidden” Archaeological Resources)
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19 pages, 15715 KB  
Article
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
by Nicodemo Abate, Crescenzo Violante and Nicola Masini
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(11), 1908; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16111908 - 25 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3334
Abstract
Coastal and underwater archaeological sites pose significant challenges in terms of investigation, conservation, valorisation, and management. These sites are often at risk due to climate change and various human-made impacts such as urban expansion, maritime pollution, and natural deterioration. However, advances in remote [...] Read more.
Coastal and underwater archaeological sites pose significant challenges in terms of investigation, conservation, valorisation, and management. These sites are often at risk due to climate change and various human-made impacts such as urban expansion, maritime pollution, and natural deterioration. However, advances in remote sensing (RS) and Earth observation (EO) technologies applied to cultural heritage (CH) sites have led to the development of various techniques for underwater cultural heritage (UCH) exploration. The aim of this work was the evaluation of an integrated methodological approach using ultra-high-resolution (UHR) bathymetric data to aid in the identification and interpretation of submerged archaeological contexts. The study focused on a selected area of the submerged Archaeological Park of Baia (Campi Flegrei, south Italy) as a test site. The study highlighted the potential of an approach based on UHR digital bathymetric model (DBM) derivatives and the use of machine learning and statistical techniques to automatically extract and discriminate features of archaeological interest from other components of the seabed substrate. The results achieved accuracy rates of around 90% and created a georeferenced vector map similar to that usually drawn by hand by archaeologists. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geophysics for Mapping, Documentation and Monitoring the “Hidden” Archaeological Resources)
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18 pages, 3619 KB  
Article
Satellite-Derived Bathymetry in Support of Maritime Archaeological Research—VENμS Imagery of Caesarea Maritima, Israel, as a Case Study
by Gerardo Diaz, Yoav Lehahn and Emmanuel Nantet
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(7), 1218; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16071218 - 29 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4282
Abstract
Deriving bathymetry by means of multispectral satellite imagery proves to be a replicable method, offering high-resolution coverage over large areas while keeping costs low. Maritime archaeologists often require bathymetric mapping at a high resolution and with a large spatial coverage. In this paper, [...] Read more.
Deriving bathymetry by means of multispectral satellite imagery proves to be a replicable method, offering high-resolution coverage over large areas while keeping costs low. Maritime archaeologists often require bathymetric mapping at a high resolution and with a large spatial coverage. In this paper, we demonstrate the implementation of SDB in maritime archaeology using high-resolution (5 m/pixel) data from Vegetation and Environment monitoring on a New Micro-Satellite (VENμS) imagery. We focus on the area of the Roman harbour of Sebastos, located at Caesarea Maritima along the Israeli coast of the Eastern Mediterranean. For extracting SDB, we take an empirical approach, which is based on the integration of satellite imagery and sonar depth measurements, resulting in a blue-green band ratio algorithm that provides reliable results up to a water depth of 17 m. Comparison with in situ depth measurements yielded an RMSE of 0.688 m. The SDB mapping is complemented by satellite-based identification of above- and below-water rocks. The presented approach can readily be replicated in other regions using various types of multispectral satellite imagery, particularly when only coarse bathymetric sonar data are available, thus substantially contributing to our ability to perform maritime archaeological research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geophysics for Mapping, Documentation and Monitoring the “Hidden” Archaeological Resources)
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