Geodatabase, metric reconstruction and a GIS platform of historical-archaeological sites in Aquino

Abstract

This paper presents the contents of a geodatabase developed from the outcomes of survey operations carried out, in several stages since 2015, within the archaeological context of the Roman city of Aquinum, in southern Lazio. The proposed geodatabase integrates traditional topographic surveying techniques with total station, GPS and GNSS geodetic receivers with photogrammetric surveys and terrestrial laser-scanner (TLS) measurements, including the realization of HBIM (Historical Building Information Modeling) models, to investigate some specific historical-archaeological evidence useful to understand the Roman and medieval urban structure of the city. The processing and management of the metric and information datasets were entrusted to a GIS platform, implemented in the opensource Quantum-GIS software, to optimize the flowchart of the acquisition/processing process and to realize an intra-site Web-GIS useful for the visualization and dissemination of the results. The methodological-operational approach applied in the research activities highlights the fundamental contribution that the technological innovations of geomatics can provide for the construction of elaborate knowledge concerning cultural heritage, also becoming the base for the elaboration of more complex and detailed analyses. In this case, for example, the HBIM digital model of the Church of Santa Maria of Libera was also used for an in-depth study in the field of structural engineering, as input to model the masonry vaults of the aisles of the church and assess their structural safety through the analysis methodology denominated "Thrust Network Analysis (TNA)." In addition, the high-precision 3D models developed from detailed photogrammetric measurements of the archaeological fragments and human remains found in the excavation areas made it possible to create interesting "visual digital products" that are immediately understandable even for non-experts, and thus particularly useful for wide-ranging knowledge dissemination.