Papers by Marianna Cirillo
The archaeological excavation is a destructive and not repeatable process: the documentation of a... more The archaeological excavation is a destructive and not repeatable process: the documentation of archaeological stratigraphy and relations between the layers is an essential component of the work of the archaeologist aimed at the understanding the site object of researches. The traditional techniques of documentation, based on direct survey and manual drawing, are time consuming to be executed and they are also characterized by some poor level of precision and accuracy that, spread over time, can lead archaeologist to errors and misunderstandings. The use of traditional techniques of survey does not allow any margin of error in the interpretation: once produced documentation, layers are destroyed and it is hardly possible to make further corrections in documentation. Over the last two decades technological innovations have progressively reduced these issues: survey instruments such as total stations and dGPS have gradually replaced the direct survey. The introduction of digital SLR cameras has eliminated the cost of production of photographs and allowed the archaeologists to produce a massive documentation of contexts, mainly qualitative. The laser scanners have been tested within various excavation sites: the possibility to record excavations in three dimensions have been found to be of great interest by archaeologists, but the high cost of the instrumentation and the complexity of the whole process of processing and management of laser data have limited its use and dissemination. In recent years, the advent of photogrammetric software based on the 'Structure from Motion' technique has gradually made accessible three-dimensional survey within the excavation sites. During the excavation of the roman site of Santa Marta, in Cinigiano (GR), we developed a pipeline for fast 3D recording of excavation. Through an integrated approach of topographic instruments, aerial and terrestrial images, semi-automated photogrammetric packages and GIS system we have been able to systematically recording in tree dimension the stratigraphy of the sites. This approach allowed us to overcome issues related with precision and accuracy of the documentation and different datasets can be integrated to create diachronic 2D and 3D documentation. The high resolution and precision of recorded surfaces allow us to improve both quality and speed of documentation, optimizing all the work in excavation site.
Applications are welcome from students, postgraduates and experienced diggers.
Sono aperte le iscrizioni a studenti, laureati, laureandi, specializzandi e dottorandi.
Book by Marianna Cirillo
This volume brings together all the successful peer-reviewed
papers that have been submitted for ... more This volume brings together all the successful peer-reviewed
papers that have been submitted for the proceedings of the
43rd conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative
Methods in Archaeology that took place in Siena (Italy) from
March 31st to April 2nd 2015.
The number of people who signed on for CAA 2015 really took
us by surprise: 550 delegates registered for the conference,
from many more places than we would ever have anticipated.
Altogether, within the four days of the conference 280 papers
were presented in 48 sections divided into ten macro topics,
113 posters, 7 roundtables and 12 workshops.
That number, in itself, has prompted a thought or two. Above
all it says to us that CAA is very much alive and kicking,
that it is in robust good health, and that it remains a wholly
relevant force in the scientific community, fully engaged with
the questions of the day, and a continuing focal point for the
profession. All of that speaks well for the motto of CAA 2015:
KEEP THE REVOLUTION GOING
Although the significance of our motto is obvious, we think
it is worth some thoughts. Few would deny that in the past 30
years or so, digital technologies have profoundly revolutionised
archaeology – in the office and laboratory, in the field and
in the classroom. The progressive introduction of digital
techniques in the archaeological process has of course led to
a general increase in efficiency. But perhaps more importantly
it has provided a spur to the discussion of methodology and
through that has strongly influenced not only the way we go
about things but also the outcomes that we have been able to
achieve.
The pioneering phase in the application of digital techniques
in archaeological research has clearly been fruitful and
today computer applications such as GIS, databases, remote
sensing and spatial analysis as well as virtual and cyber
archaeology are deeply embedded within our universities.
This is all good, of course, but we must not assume that the
task has been completed. An intrinsic revolutionary instinct
towards technological development has been awakened.
But it will only survive by virtue of the results that it brings
about. Or using the words of our Chairman Prof Gary Lock:
‘Computers not only change the way we do things, but more
importantly they change the way we think about what we
do and why we do it’. The general thrust of this statement
can be summed up and reinforced by recalling a quote from
the philosopher Don Ihde, who has argued we should never
forget that all technologies should be regarded as ‘cultural
instruments’, which as well as strategies and methodologies
implemented in our researches are also ‘non-neutral’.
So KEEP THE REVOLUTION GOING is a motto that lays
stress on the need to maintain innovation in archaeology
through technological advances. But innovation must have
at its root the fostering of critical thought and the framing of
new archaeological questions. So there is much work still to be
done, and fresh challenges to be faced in the months, years and
decades ahead.
One final thought. The date of this conference, and most of all
the opening ceremony, has not come about by chance. The 30th
of March, for the University of Siena and in particular for the
human sciences and archaeology, represents a sad but enduring
anniversary. Eight years ago on this day we lost a key figure
in the Italian archaeological community of the last 50 years;
a man who had an extraordinary influence on many aspects
of medieval and archaeological studies. Not least we call to
mind his role in the promotion and development of digital
archaeology. Our thoughts and memories go therefore to our
friend and mentor Professor Riccardo Francovich. He always
inspired us to seek new horizons and without him we doubt that
this conference would have found its way to Siena.
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Papers by Marianna Cirillo
Book by Marianna Cirillo
papers that have been submitted for the proceedings of the
43rd conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative
Methods in Archaeology that took place in Siena (Italy) from
March 31st to April 2nd 2015.
The number of people who signed on for CAA 2015 really took
us by surprise: 550 delegates registered for the conference,
from many more places than we would ever have anticipated.
Altogether, within the four days of the conference 280 papers
were presented in 48 sections divided into ten macro topics,
113 posters, 7 roundtables and 12 workshops.
That number, in itself, has prompted a thought or two. Above
all it says to us that CAA is very much alive and kicking,
that it is in robust good health, and that it remains a wholly
relevant force in the scientific community, fully engaged with
the questions of the day, and a continuing focal point for the
profession. All of that speaks well for the motto of CAA 2015:
KEEP THE REVOLUTION GOING
Although the significance of our motto is obvious, we think
it is worth some thoughts. Few would deny that in the past 30
years or so, digital technologies have profoundly revolutionised
archaeology – in the office and laboratory, in the field and
in the classroom. The progressive introduction of digital
techniques in the archaeological process has of course led to
a general increase in efficiency. But perhaps more importantly
it has provided a spur to the discussion of methodology and
through that has strongly influenced not only the way we go
about things but also the outcomes that we have been able to
achieve.
The pioneering phase in the application of digital techniques
in archaeological research has clearly been fruitful and
today computer applications such as GIS, databases, remote
sensing and spatial analysis as well as virtual and cyber
archaeology are deeply embedded within our universities.
This is all good, of course, but we must not assume that the
task has been completed. An intrinsic revolutionary instinct
towards technological development has been awakened.
But it will only survive by virtue of the results that it brings
about. Or using the words of our Chairman Prof Gary Lock:
‘Computers not only change the way we do things, but more
importantly they change the way we think about what we
do and why we do it’. The general thrust of this statement
can be summed up and reinforced by recalling a quote from
the philosopher Don Ihde, who has argued we should never
forget that all technologies should be regarded as ‘cultural
instruments’, which as well as strategies and methodologies
implemented in our researches are also ‘non-neutral’.
So KEEP THE REVOLUTION GOING is a motto that lays
stress on the need to maintain innovation in archaeology
through technological advances. But innovation must have
at its root the fostering of critical thought and the framing of
new archaeological questions. So there is much work still to be
done, and fresh challenges to be faced in the months, years and
decades ahead.
One final thought. The date of this conference, and most of all
the opening ceremony, has not come about by chance. The 30th
of March, for the University of Siena and in particular for the
human sciences and archaeology, represents a sad but enduring
anniversary. Eight years ago on this day we lost a key figure
in the Italian archaeological community of the last 50 years;
a man who had an extraordinary influence on many aspects
of medieval and archaeological studies. Not least we call to
mind his role in the promotion and development of digital
archaeology. Our thoughts and memories go therefore to our
friend and mentor Professor Riccardo Francovich. He always
inspired us to seek new horizons and without him we doubt that
this conference would have found its way to Siena.
papers that have been submitted for the proceedings of the
43rd conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative
Methods in Archaeology that took place in Siena (Italy) from
March 31st to April 2nd 2015.
The number of people who signed on for CAA 2015 really took
us by surprise: 550 delegates registered for the conference,
from many more places than we would ever have anticipated.
Altogether, within the four days of the conference 280 papers
were presented in 48 sections divided into ten macro topics,
113 posters, 7 roundtables and 12 workshops.
That number, in itself, has prompted a thought or two. Above
all it says to us that CAA is very much alive and kicking,
that it is in robust good health, and that it remains a wholly
relevant force in the scientific community, fully engaged with
the questions of the day, and a continuing focal point for the
profession. All of that speaks well for the motto of CAA 2015:
KEEP THE REVOLUTION GOING
Although the significance of our motto is obvious, we think
it is worth some thoughts. Few would deny that in the past 30
years or so, digital technologies have profoundly revolutionised
archaeology – in the office and laboratory, in the field and
in the classroom. The progressive introduction of digital
techniques in the archaeological process has of course led to
a general increase in efficiency. But perhaps more importantly
it has provided a spur to the discussion of methodology and
through that has strongly influenced not only the way we go
about things but also the outcomes that we have been able to
achieve.
The pioneering phase in the application of digital techniques
in archaeological research has clearly been fruitful and
today computer applications such as GIS, databases, remote
sensing and spatial analysis as well as virtual and cyber
archaeology are deeply embedded within our universities.
This is all good, of course, but we must not assume that the
task has been completed. An intrinsic revolutionary instinct
towards technological development has been awakened.
But it will only survive by virtue of the results that it brings
about. Or using the words of our Chairman Prof Gary Lock:
‘Computers not only change the way we do things, but more
importantly they change the way we think about what we
do and why we do it’. The general thrust of this statement
can be summed up and reinforced by recalling a quote from
the philosopher Don Ihde, who has argued we should never
forget that all technologies should be regarded as ‘cultural
instruments’, which as well as strategies and methodologies
implemented in our researches are also ‘non-neutral’.
So KEEP THE REVOLUTION GOING is a motto that lays
stress on the need to maintain innovation in archaeology
through technological advances. But innovation must have
at its root the fostering of critical thought and the framing of
new archaeological questions. So there is much work still to be
done, and fresh challenges to be faced in the months, years and
decades ahead.
One final thought. The date of this conference, and most of all
the opening ceremony, has not come about by chance. The 30th
of March, for the University of Siena and in particular for the
human sciences and archaeology, represents a sad but enduring
anniversary. Eight years ago on this day we lost a key figure
in the Italian archaeological community of the last 50 years;
a man who had an extraordinary influence on many aspects
of medieval and archaeological studies. Not least we call to
mind his role in the promotion and development of digital
archaeology. Our thoughts and memories go therefore to our
friend and mentor Professor Riccardo Francovich. He always
inspired us to seek new horizons and without him we doubt that
this conference would have found its way to Siena.