Geomorphological and geomatic survey

 

Geomatic survey

Geomatic survey.

The geomorphologic work in this project (coordinated by Prof. M. De Dapper) is firmly interlinked with the archaeological questionnaire. It includes the processing and analysis of all relevant cartographic material and general remote sensing data (in particular making full use of the results of our aerial survey work), many field observations on the surface (with the use of augering and in sections) and geophysical techniques as electrical resistivity. Major aims of this geomorphological survey are:

  • examine the correlation of prehistoric sites with the occurrence of gravel terraces;
  • investigate the location of protohistoric settlements near former source areas and aquifers;
  • find out the impact of processes of erosion on the interpretation of surface phenomena;
  • the reconstruction of the coastline;
  • to detect the Roman course of the Potenza river.

Coring operations near Potentia.

Coring operations near Potentia.

However, a final solid reconstruction of the (archaeological) landscape is an interdisciplinary combination of opinions and interpretations, made by different scholars, thus avoiding (too) one-sided visions and conclusions. Therefore, this highly significant geomorphological data has from the start been combined with the information from the other studies, to make the whole settlement process easier to understand and the interpretations more reliable. Very important in this respect is the production of a series of detailed geomorphological maps, which can be combined with all available archaeological and historical cartographic data.

 

Geological observations on the Monte Primo.

Geological observations on the Monte Primo.

 

Using  a series of detailed topographic measurements of the former Roman urban sites and some protohistoric settlement sites, secure macro-topographic models were produced, to refine the data available from the topographic map of the area, the so-called Carta Tecnica of the Regione Marche on a scale 1/10.000. This allows a better understanding of the overall topography of the sites and enables to better rectify the oblique aerial photographs and to position the results of the geophysical and artefact surveys within a GIS-mapping environment. Moreover these  geomatic surveys characterise the complexity of features, seen with geophysical instruments or from the air but not always readily comprehensible to the naked eye. Thus such contouring records the slight surface irregularities that are recorded by the surveyors on site, making them more understandable and enables them to be related to sub-surface features.