Professional profile
Ancient topography I Archaeologist | Aerial and Satellite Remote Sensing Specialist | Digital Archaeological Maps Specialist I GIS Specialist I Instrumental and Field Topographic Survey Specialist
Integrated study of the ancient topography of archaeological sites and landscapes in Italy and the Mediterranean basin. The objective is to create digital archaeological maps, understood as georeferenced archives of ancient remains buried or preserved on the ground, to be used for historical reconstruction and to support urban and regional planning, as well as conservation and promotion policies for cultural heritage.
Activities alternate between archive and library research, fieldwork, and laboratory research. The first type of research involves the analysis, acquisition, and study of bibliographic data, cartographic data, and historical aerial data. The second involves the acquisition of archaeological data in situ through topographic surveys, archaeological excavations, and instrumental archaeological surveys using the Global Navigation Satellite System. Laboratory research focuses on the GIS management of all acquired heterogeneous data, both for the production of archaeological and thematic maps and for the standardised archiving of data in purpose-built geodatabases.
A key aspect of the research activity involves the application of remote sensing to archaeology, including analysis, photointerpretation (identification and classification of archaeological marks), and the processing of historical and recent remote sensing data, such as aerial photographs, cosmic imagery, and high-resolution optical satellite imagery. Specifically, technical expertise is developed in selecting the most suitable and high-performance satellite data for the investigation and monitoring of archaeological sites and landscapes, as well as in satellite data processing using enhancement, data fusion, classification, and other procedures using the proprietary ENVI software and open-source applications such as QGIS.
Another specific aspect of the research activity concerns the documentation and representation of archaeological data at multiple scales: from the manual technical drawing of archaeological materials with subsequent digitization and editing, to the digitization of plans for the production of archaeological maps of ancient centres and territories, to be integrated into GIS projects, easily shared with institutional bodies responsible for urban and regional planning.
The professional profile described above also includes support and scientific consultancy activities within projects for the enhancement and use of museums and archaeological sites for the production of scientific dissemination content.
CNR Disciplinary Fields and Research Management Sectors
- SH6_1 Archaeological methods and theory, history of archaeology
- SH6_5 Archaeological science, bioarchaeology, environmental archaeology, geoarchaeology
MUR Italian Scientific-Disciplinary Sector
- ARCH‑01/F Ancient Topography
- ARCH-01/G Archaeological Research Methods
Groups & Labs CNR ISPC
Archaeological Mapping Lab →
Archaeology and Environment Research Group →
Publications
Highlight
G. Leucci, L. De Giorgi, I. Ditaranto; I. Miccoli, G. Scardozzi (2023). The ancient settlement of Piammiano-Statonia (Bomarzo, Italy): New data from 2D and 3D electrical tomography, in Archaeological Prospection, 28 (2), 2021, pp. 167-176. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/arp.1805
I. Miccoli (2022). Applicazioni GIS e di remote sensing satellitare per la conoscenza e il monitoraggio dell’area urbana di Falerii Novi e del territorio circostante, in Archeologia e Calcolatori 33.2, 2022, 175-196. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19282/ac.33.2.2022.10
G. Leucci, I. Miccoli, D. F. Barbolla, L. De Giorgi, I. Ferrari, F. Giuri, G. Scardozzi (2023). Integrated GPR and ERT surveys for the investigation of the external sectors of the Castle of Melfi (Potenza, Italy), in Remote Sensing, 15 (4), 2023, p. 1019. DPO: https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15041019
