Il progetto di ricerca BLU-ARCHEOSYS: tecnologie innovative e sistemi avanzati di supporto per l’archeologia subacquea
10.6092/issn.1973-9494/4193
SummaryIn this article we summarize the main findings of the research project, BLU- ARCHEOSYS. It ranges from results achieved in the support systems of the human operations carried out directly in the underwater world, such as vision systems for 3D reconstruction of the seabed, multicomponent and innovative configuration ROV platforms. Ample space is given to software systems for data virtualization, and numerical simulation applied to the design of interventions for the recovery of shipwrecks. Important results have been achieved in the analysis of underwater findings, where interesting results have been obtained in the use of particle accelerators and morphological characterization of new varieties. Lastly, mention is made of the survey methodology designed specifically to orchestrate the great variety and quantity of knowledge made available by the project partners. RiassuntoIn questo articolo di natura divulgativa vengono sintetizzati i principali risultati del progetto di ricerca BLU-ARCHEOSYS. Si spazierà da risultati conseguiti nell’ambito dei sistemi a supporto dell’ operatività umana svolta direttamente nel mondo sommerso, come sistemi di visione per la ricostruzione 3D di fondali marini, a piattaforme ROV multicomponenti ed innovativi nella loro configurazione. Ampio spazio sarà dato ai sistemi software per la virtualizzazione dei dati, e la simulazione numerica applicata alla progettazione di interventi di recupero dei relitti. Nell’ambito dell’analisi dei ritrovamenti subacquei sono stati raggiunti importanti risultati, grazie all’utilizzo di acceleratori di particelle e nella caratterizzazione morfologica dei ritrovati. Ultimo, ma importante cenno, sarà dato alla metodologia di indagine pensata ad hoc per orchestrare una tale varietà e quantità di conoscenze messe a disposizione da parte dei partner del progetto. RésuméDans cet article destiné à la vulgarisation sont résumés les principaux résultats du projet de recherche BLU-ARCHEOSYS, à partir des résultats obtenus dans les systèmes d’aide aux interventions humaines dans le monde submergé, tels que les systèmes de vision pour la reconstruction en 3D des fonds marins, jusqu’aux plates-formes ROV multicomposants, caractérisées par leur configuration innovante. Une large place sera accordée aux systèmes logiciels pour la virtualisation des données et pour la simulation numérique appliquée aux interventions de récupération des épaves. Des résultats importants ont été atteints dans l’analyse des découvertes sous-marines et dans la caractérisation morphologique de celles-ci, grâce à l’utilisation d’accélérateurs de particules. En dernier point, mais non le moindre, il sera fait mention de la méthodologie d’étude qui a été conçue ad hoc pour agencer une telle variété et quantité de connaissances, qui ont été rendues disponibles par les partenaires du projet. ZusammenfassungIn diesem informativen Artikel werden die wesentlichen Ergebnisse des Forschungsprojekts BLU-ARCHEOSYS zusammengefasst. Dies reicht von den Resultaten, die im Rahmen der Systeme zur Unterstützung der menschlichen Tätigkeit direkt unter Wasser erzielt wurden, wie beispielsweise 3D-Bildsysteme zur Rekonstruktion der Meeresgründe, bis hin zu den ROV-Plattformen mit einer Vielfalt von Komponenten und innovativer Konfiguration. Viel Raum wird auch den Software-Systemen zur Virtualisierung von Daten und zur numerischen Simulation eingeräumt, die bei der Planung der Maßnahmen zur Bergung von Relikten angewandt werden. Auf dem Gebiet der Analyse von unter Wasser gemachten Funden konnten dank Teilchenbeschleunigung und morphologischer Charakterisierung der Fundstücke bedeutende Ergebnisse erzielt werden. Ein letzter, jedoch wichtiger Hinweis bezieht sich auf die Untersuchungsmethode, die spezifisch ausgearbeitet wurde, um eine solche Vielfalt und Menge von Kenntnissen zu  konzertieren, die von den Partnern des  Projekts zur Verfügung gestellt werden. ResumenEn este artículo de carácter divulgativo se sintetizan los principales resultados del proyecto de investigación BLU-ARCHEOSYS. Se abarcarán temas como los resultados alcanzados en el marco de los sistemas de apoyo a las actividades humanas que se desempeñan directamente en el mundo sumergido, como los sistemas de visión para reconstruir el fondo del mar en 3D, y las plataformas ROV multicomponentes y de configuración innovadora. Se dará un amplio espacio a los sistemas software para la virtualización de datos y a la simulación numérica aplicada a la planificación de actividades de recuperación de pecios. Dentro del marco del análisis de los hallazgos submarinos se han alcanzado resultados importantes, gracias al empleo de aceleradores de partículas, y por lo que se refiere a la caracterización morfológica de lo hallado. Por último, pero no menos importante, se delineará la metodología de investigación especialmente pensada para coordinar una amplia variedad y cantidad de conocimientos que los participantes en el proyecto han puesto a disposición. РезюмеВ этой статье, рассчитанной на широкую публику,  суммируются основные выводы исследовательского проекта BLU- ARCHEOSYS. Затрагиваются различные проблемы, начиная результатами, достигнутыми в сфере систем поддержки человеческой деятельности, осуществляемой непосредственно в подводном мире, такими как системы технического видения 3D для реконструкции морского дна, продолжая платформами ROV, многокомпонентными и инновационными в своей конфигурации. Широкое место уделяется программным системам для виртуализации данных и численному моделированию применительно к разработке мероприятий по восстановлению кораблекрушений. В рамках анализа подводных находок были достигнуты важные результаты благодаря использованию ускорителей частиц, а также была произведена морфологическая характеристика находок. И последний, но важный момент затрагивает методологию исследования, разработанную специально для того, чтобы организовать такое разнообразие и количество знаний, предоставленное  партнерами по проекту . 摘要此类具有传播性的文章总结了BLU-ARCHEOSYS研究项目的主要结论。首先介绍了有关海底世界里人工操作的协助设备所获得的效果，比如重建海底3D拍摄系统，多组及配置先进的ROV平台。下面系统地介绍了数据虚拟化软件系统和用于规划打捞沉落物过程的数字模拟程序。在打捞沉落物的研究方面获得了重要的成果，是通过粒子加速器的应用和对沉落物形态特征的了解。最后，但很重要，文章简单地介绍了用于组织此项目的许多学识专用研究方法，这些学识是由合作伙伴提供的。
application/pdf
1973-9494
4193
en
Lucio Colizzi
Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage
analytic
The research project BLU-ARCHEOSYS: innovative technologies and advanced systems in support of underwater archaeology
Text.Serial.Journal
https://conservation-science.unibo.it/
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Articles
2013-12-30
2014-02-09
2013-12-30
2015-11-02
409-426
CSCH
Lucio Colizzi
2013/12/30
10.6092/issn.1973-9494/4193
409
1973-9494
analytic
en
426
BONNEAU, A., BROCK, F., HIGHAM, T., PEARCE, D.G., POLLARD, A.M., 2011, An improved pretreatment protocol for radiocarbon dating black pigments in San rock art, Radiocarbon, 53 (3),419-428.
The research project BLU-ARCHEOSYS: innovative technologies and advanced systems in support of underwater archaeology
https://conservation-science.unibo.it/article/download/4193/3645
13
T   HE RESEARCH PROJECT BLU-ARCHEOSYS: INNOVA-
    TIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND ADVANCED SYSTEMS IN
    SUPPORT OF UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY


    Lucio Colizzi●1
    Divisione Ingegneria Informatica
    Consorzio CETMA


    Keywords: technology, underwater, education, analytic

   1. Introduction

   More than a year has passed since the industrial research project BLU-ARCHEOSYS
(Innovative technologies and advanced systems in support of Underwater Archaeology)
was closed (only formally). It has involved several years of collaboration between com-
panies, research centers and universities and has produced a great quantity and quality
of scientific results whose applications range from the sector of archeology of water
and submerged Cultural Heritage to industrial sectors such as the oil and gas industry
(surveys, support to construction of offshore structures, oil and gas pipelines), the tel-
ecommunications industry (support for the installation and maintenance of cable ducts);
military applications; security and civil protection applications; underwater mining opera-
tions; environmental monitoring and investigations; geological monitoring; monitoring of
diving infrastructures; fishing industry; education; entertainment.




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   The objectives of the project were designed to lead to the implementation and test-
ing technologies vertically integrated in each of the stages of the value chain of the
submerged Cultural Heritage and therefore related to: reconnaissance, prospecting,
geophysical surveys, discovery, recovery, detection, excavation, documentation, pro-
tection, transportation, environmental protection and enhancement, restoration, main-
tenance, preservation, end-user enjoyment and ‘musealization’ [1].

   2. Enabling technologies for the study of underwater heritage

   Within the BLU-ARCHEOSYS project, two research groups have developed new
technologies that can be used directly in the underwater world. We are talking about
the first 3D scanning device based on radar technologies, and a multi-component Re-
motely Operated Vehicle (ROV) system, capable of carrying a complex set of meas-
urement technologies useful in analyzing different aspects of the seabed [2,3].

   2.1. The U-ITR developed by ENEA

  In the field of underwater environments, the research center ENEA Frascati (Rome), has
developed a 3D vision system called Underwater Imaging Topological Radar (U-ITR) (Fig-


• Corresponding author: lucio.colizzi@libero.it

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                                                                                                 ure 1). The system is able to perform 3D scans in an underwater environment. The results
                                                                                                 obtained by ENEA tell us that it is possible to see in 3D, underwater, using radar technology.
                                                                                                    Intense research activity has been carried out, covering theoretical study and a
                                                                                                 series of experiments carried out in two test tanks, respectively 1.5 m and 25m in
                                                                                                 length, relative to the propagation in water with different degrees of turbidity of a Con-
                                                                                                 tinuous-Wave (CW) laser beam amplitude modulated (AM-Amplitude Modulation) of
                                                                                                 wavelength λ=405nm  (blue/violet zone in visible spectrum) with the aim of obtaining
                                                                                                 information that is useful and essential in the field of 3D imaging for applications in
                                                                                                 underwater environments [4].
                                                                                                    Tests with the prototype U-ITR in the test pool, involved the laser scanning of some
                                                                                                 metal targets immersed in relatively clean water, such as perforated discs with holes in
                                                                                                 the order of 1mm, circular flanges, stepladder with fixed and well-established spaces
                                                                                                 between rungs (in the order of 1 cm). The range and breadth of data acquired with the
L. Colizzi - The research project BLU-ARCHEOSYS: innovative technologies and advanced systems




                                                                                                 U-ITR during scans, made it possible to reconstruct 3D models of high quality, high
                                                                                                 resolution (of the order of 1mm to 4-5m distance) and which were extremely accurate,
                                                                                                 of the submerged targets under investigation, thus demonstrating a great opportunity
                                                                                                 to use the U-ITR as a diagnostic tool for the conservation state of artifacts of interest
                                                                                                 in underwater environments, such as archaeological sites, and as a tool for inspecting
                                                                                                 and monitoring the status of pipelines and anchor chains of offshore oil or gas rigs.
                                                                                                    The use of underwater optical radar may naturally be generalized to 3D viewing of
                                                                                                 structures in underwater environments, which do not necessarily belong to the field of
                                                                                                 archaeological assets, such as oil rigs and the like. As a result, interest in security and
                                                                                                 surveillance has become increasingly important in recent years.




                                                                                                                                  Figure 1. The U-ITR system


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  2.2. A multi-component ROV developed by Ageotec

  Ageotec srl, a leading Italian company in the production of systems for underwater
exploration, developed an innovative Remotely Operated Vehicle in its laboratories
during research for the BLU-ARCHEOSYS project. The system is not only able to ac-
commodate the module for 3D vision realized in ENEA Frascati, but also a number of
sensor systems whereby it is possible to measure different variables in the underwater
world and carry out targeted sampling.
  The main objective to be achieved, was the realization of the ROV demonstrator,
whose characteristics are summarized in the following tables.


         General Characteristics                          Demonstrator
                                                (Only vehicle without accessories)
                 Dimension                                 length 1000 mm
                                                            width 800 mm
                                                            height 800 mm
                 Weight in air                                 160 kg
         Maximum operating depth                               1000 m
                 Propelling and                       2 vertical motors, 100 kg
            corresponding forces              4 horizontal motors, 100 kg forward and
                 maximum                                     50 kg lateral
                Load capacity                                      40 kg

                                      ROV features




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  Features of the                            Demonstrator
 instrumentation                   (Only vehicle without accessories)
 Cameras / lights        4 video channel with fiber optic transmission plus 1 video
                                    channel on bipolar twisted cable.
  Instrumentation                             Interfacing:
    that can be              CP Probe, Octans, 2022 R2Sonic and similar
      installed       Panoramic Sonar, Bathymetric System, altimeter, current meter,
                                 Pipe Tracker, multiparameter probes.
                             Data transmission with fiber optic multiplexer.
    Navigation        Gyro Flux-gate, angular accelerometer, pressure sensor (depth)
      Control                 Video overlay on monitor with video recording.
                                      Export via serial sensor data.
                        Software system diagnostics (external PC connected to the
                                            console surface)
                                      Demultiplexer in optical fiber.
      Supply           400 VAC three-phase, 10 kW (free flight), 30 kW (option TMS)

                         Features of the module on board the ROV

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                                                                                                     Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the demonstrator vehicle ROV in one of its typical con-
                                                                                                 figurations, which, in addition to the navigation components, also includes the acoustic
                                                                                                 vision multibeam scanning system (installed cantilever in the front) and attitude and
                                                                                                 navigation sensors (installed in the rear). The architecture was kept highly modular to
                                                                                                 allow operational characteristics to be adapted as a function of the operating scenario
                                                                                                 in the intended application.
L. Colizzi - The research project BLU-ARCHEOSYS: innovative technologies and advanced systems




                                                                                                                                                                     Integration of RE-VUE on P
                                                                                                 Figure 2. Configuration of the vehicle type ROV demonstrator fitted with sonar systems and
                                                                                                 structure and navigation




                                                                                                     Figure 3. concept of ROV with Pegasus configuration that can accommodate the UTR

                                                                                                    3. Visual Information System and virtual simulation

                                                                                                    Virtual reality is an important key enabling technology within the BLU-ARCHEOSYS
                                                                                                 project. Two main fields of research are addressed by the research team:
                                                                                                    1) Simulation of the underwater scenario
                                                                                                    2) Finite element method for the recovery simulation.

                                                                                                    3.1. Simulation of the underwater scenario

                                                                                                    While Ageotec researchers were developing the ROV system, the CETMA con-
                                                                                                 sortium laboratories in Brindisi, were dealing with all the problems of post-processing
                                                                                                 scientific data acquired by the system in the underwater environment. The use of the
                                                                                                 3D reconstruction of the seabed, of multibeam type (or multibeam echosounder), de-
                                                                                                 veloped for the ROV, thanks to collaboration between the University of Bologna and
                                                                                                 Ageotec, enabled the research team, composed of computer technicians from CE-
                                                                                                 TMA, to create a processing system capable of:

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●   reviewing mission data (review of the ROV mission);
●   simulating a mission on the reconstructed seabed starting from the cloud  acquired
    by the multibeam.

    The first step was implemented within the Virtual Reality Centre built by the consor-
tium in the past and put at the disposal of the project. In order to develop applications
in 3D immersive real-time mode, a processing of more partial data (strips), and the
reconstruction of triangulated surfaces was carried out (Figure 4). The last step before
obtaining the final dataset (data from the mission) was to apply texture mapping algo-
rithms, so that during the viewing, there is a realistic feeling of being on the seabed.
    A further task was then to use the dataset of the reconstructed seabed (Figure 5) in
order to produce a real ROV mission simulator. In order to achieve this, for the simu-
lation part of the degrees of freedom, a robotic platform was used in which real-time
applications were developed to incorporate both the motion dynamics of the ROV and
the management of the immersive scenarios. The platform can be used both to review
activities during missions and to provide material for training and briefings. For the
modeling of the dynamics of a generic underwater vehicle, a model designed and built
by the “Naval Post Graduate School,” the NPS AUV II, was used (Figure 6).




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Figure 4. Display the point cloud as a result of the triangulation and mapping of color with the
navigation module Real Time




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414
         Figure 6. simulator interfaces
                                                                 Figure 5. Use of the seabed within the CAVE of CVRC
   3.2. Virtualization and finite element numerical analysis method

   Technologies of virtualization and finite element numerical analysis were also
used in simulating the recovery process, thanks to collaboration between the simula-
tion experts of the CETMA division of Materials and Structures Engineering and the
group from Chemistry of the Environment and Cultural Heritage at the University of
Urbino. The method was developed using artifacts from the wreck of a sailing ship
(dated by the University of Salento to the Renaissance period). The finite element
analysis provides a methodological approach which can be outlined in three distinct
phases:

● Pre-processing phase: chemical/physical/mechanical characterization of materials
● Processing phase: numerical calculation
● Post-processing phase: visualization of results.

    In brief, a logical flow of activities of ROV data post-processing was identified that,
starting from the 3D model of the wreck and the properties of the materials that com-
pose it, enables the analysis for a possible recovery project.
    On the basis of the wood samples provided and the experimental tests that were
carried out (Figure 7), it was possible to define the mechanical characteristics of the
material of the specimen (Figure 8). The results of the mechanical characterization
were used to implement the numerical models of behavior of the materials in the cal-
culation code Ls-Dyna (Figure 9).
    The behavioral model of the material made it possible to analyze, by means of spe-
cific numerical simulations, what the possible hypotheses were for the recovery proj-
ect. In fact, referring to a 3D model of the wreck, it was possible to evaluate whether
the recovery solution was appropriate or not (Figure 10).




                                                                                                     CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
    Two possible recovery solutions were analyzed (Figure 11-12) together with the
critical areas of strength (final mapping of the stresses on the component). The finite
element model which was developed, also allowed other recovery solutions to be con-
sidered and to include any geometric and structural changes to the suggested system
(Figure 13).




   Figure 7.   Subsequent   splitting   of   the Figure 8. Tension strain curves of compres-
   specimen                                      sion tests




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                                                                                                   Figure 9. Model and size of Skuldelev 2       Figure 10. Finite element model used for
                                                                                                                                                 simulation of recovery
L. Colizzi - The research project BLU-ARCHEOSYS: innovative technologies and advanced systems




                                                                                                   Figure 11. Finite element model of the com-   Figure 12. Finite element model of the
                                                                                                   pression test                                 compression test




                                                                                                                               Figure 13. Post processing data



                                                                                                   4. An innovative technology for the morphological characterization of under-
                                                                                                   water finds

                                                                                                    One of the most interesting activities in the BLU-ARCHEOSYS project, concerned
                                                                                                 the realization of a complex system that can simultaneously perform different meas-
                                                                                                 urements of morphological nature for any artifact, the system integrates:

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     a)   A CT scan with a source of 250 MeV
     b)   A laser line surface scanning system
     c)   A colorimeter
     d)   A micro profilometer.

   The machine is unique (Figure 14); its construction involved researchers in the
CETMA consortium (for the mechatronics module), researchers of the CNR-INO (for
the optical measurement modules), and researchers at the University of Bologna (for
the tomography module). Below are some pictures of the constructive schemes and
implementation phases of the constituent parts and the system as a whole. The ma-
chine was then tested on a specimen provided by the Superintendence of the Sea of
Palermo (amphora).




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L. Colizzi - The research project BLU-ARCHEOSYS: innovative technologies and advanced systems




                                                                                                                       Figure 14. The machine and its control system

                                                                                                    The FRAMEWORK software for managing the hardware devices integrated into the
                                                                                                 machine of morphological characterization for measuring, enables interfacing, using
                                                                                                 special software libraries written in C++, to the real hardware devices such as: laser
                                                                                                 scanner, colorimeter and micro-profilometer connected to the computer via USB and
                                                                                                 surface roughness meter (“rugosimetro”) connected to the computer via Ethernet [5].
                                                                                                    Below are the results of a multi-measurment (TAC + Laser Scanning) carried out in
                                                                                                 the laboratory on a fragment of amphora provided by the General Directorate of the
                                                                                                 Superintendence of the Sea of Palermo (Figure 15).




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                         Figure15. fusion of different dataset in 3D

  5. Complex technology for the analysis of underwater finds

   Technologies for the analysis of samples and archaeological finds are an interest-
ing line of research within the BLU-ARCHEOSYS project. These were conducted by
the University of Salento and coordinated by Professor Lucio Calcagnile, Professor of
Applied Physics, Department of Innovation Engineering.
   The most important research was carried out in the CEDAD laboratories - Center
for Dating and Diagnostics Department of Innovation Engineering of the University of
Salento. The Department made it possible to design and implement a multi-isotope
beam line, associated with the particle accelerator 3MV TANDETRON (Figure 16),
able to carry out isotopic analysis and dating, up to tens of millions of years.
   Before implementation of the new line, dating was carried out only by measuring
radiocarbon with a dating range of up to about 50,000 years. Thanks to the BLU-
ARCHEOSYS project it has been possible to extend the range of dating of materials,  
using the 10Be rather than 14C, up to about 15 million years. The line was designed in
collaboration with the Group of Physics of Ionic Beams of the Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology in Zurich (ETH) and is capable of directly measuring radioactive particles
that are extremely rare in nature, including 10Be, 26Al, 129I, 238U with a technique known
as Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS). Implementation of the new dating system

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                                                                                                 required the engineering of two large magnets (one weighing 7 tons) and an electro-
                                                                                                 static analyzer for selection in mass, energy and charge of the various radioactive iso-
                                                                                                 topes. All the electronic acquisition and particle counting system was developed by the
                                                                                                 Group of Applied Physics, Department of Innovation Engineering. The new beam line
                                                                                                 connected to the accelerator will allow CEDAD to conduct research in various fields,
                                                                                                 from archeology to geology, from hydrology to Earth and Environmental Sciences [6,
                                                                                                 7, 8, 9].
L. Colizzi - The research project BLU-ARCHEOSYS: innovative technologies and advanced systems




                                                                                                 Figure 16. The hall of the accelerator TANDETRON CEDAD (left) and the new multi-line isotope (right)

                                                                                                    A second activity involved the design and implementation of a system for dating
                                                                                                 waters for research on hydrology and climatology. The system (Figure17) consists of a
                                                                                                 vessel containing water from which CO2 has to be extracted and connected by means
                                                                                                 of various valves in cryogenic traps for the freezing and entrapment of carbon dioxide
                                                                                                 and the evacuation of gases from the sample. Transfer of the gases is accelerated by


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the injection of a carrier gas, usually helium. The production of CO2 occurs by chemical
reaction with phosphoric acid, with subsequent entrapment and catalytic reduction in
graphite for measurement with the accelerator of the carbon isotopes.




                          Figure 17. The dating system of water

   A third activity focused on the engineering of a mechanical system for the collection
of samples which are then extracted from marine sediments containing radioactive
isotopes to be measured by AMS. The results of these activities have been presented
at numerous national and international conferences in the field.

  6. New analytical methods of investigation




                                                                                                 CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
   But the BLU-ARCHEOSYS project has not only played an important part in devel-
oping new technologies, it has also identified innovative analytical methodologies. On
this issue, interesting work has been conducted by the University of Bologna and in
particular that regarding studies carried out on Punic amphorae in the “Baglio Anselmi”
Museum of Marsala (Trapani). As part of the BLU-ARCHEOSYS research project, the
methodology related to the knowledge of Punic amphorae samples from the “Baglio
Anselmi” Museum of Marsala (Trapani) has been developed.
   The underwater world is full of wrecks, artifacts and relics testifying to eras,
populations and socio-economic and cultural levels, as well as products, and man-
ufacturing techniques where very diverse materials and functions have been used,
and which in fact, need to be studied from a historical archaeological-bibliographic
and technical-material-analytic point of view. The study of the appropriately cho-
sen amphorae, was initially directed at aspects of a technological and commercial
nature, and therefore, connected to the routes of ships with different destinations
and, however, attributable to commercial circuits in certain production areas (Fig-
ure 18).
   The 33 specimens were cataloged using technical data sheets prepared with the
relevant historical and archaeological, typological and production data. The Punic am-
phorae displayed in the museum are heterogeneous from the point of view of typology
and chronology, and can be placed in a time period ranging from the seventh century.
B.C. to the seventh century. A.D.


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                                                                                                   The province of Trapani and the area of Palermo is where the largest number of
                                                                                                 Punic amphorae have been found compared to other areas of Sicily.
                                                                                                   Their distribution is concentrated, in fact, in the Punic centers of great importance in
                                                                                                 Western Sicily: Mozia, Marsala, Trapani and Pantelleria.
L. Colizzi - The research project BLU-ARCHEOSYS: innovative technologies and advanced systems




                                                                                                                  Figure 18. Probable trade routes of some types of amphora

                                                                                                    To perform the characterization of the materials constituting the artifacts to be stud-
                                                                                                 ied, with the assessment of their conservation status, about 15 of the amphorae (se-
                                                                                                 lected on the basis of their integrity, excluding some specimens, which being unique,
                                                                                                 may testify in time to their uniqueness), the following analyses were performed:

                                                                                                    ●     X-ray diffraction (XRD) (Figure 19)
                                                                                                    ●     spectroscopy with Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR)
                                                                                                    ●     thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
                                                                                                    ●     thermo analysis (DTA)




                                                                                                                               Figure 19. Diffractometer X-ray


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    The study of Punic amphorae from the “Baglio Anselmi” Museum in Marsala (Figure
20) has helped to catalogue a number of the specimens on display and has led to sig-
nificant results regarding the distribution of amphora typologies in Sicily.
    The diagnostics for the characterization of materials constituting the artifacts under
examination and assessment of their conservation status is not only fundamental for
any subsequent restoration but also to refute or confirm hypotheses regarding the
main production sites, obtained on the basis of bibliographic sources, and to trace
back the material composition of these artifacts to their sites of origin.




                                   Figure 20. Amphorae




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   7. The BLU-ARCHEOSYS training project

   The BLU-ARCHEOSYS research project was also linked to a specific training pro-
ject, with the goal of creating specialized professionals in the application of innovative
technologies in human studies and operations in underwater environments.
   The educational part of the training project of BLU-ARCHEOSYS envisaged a sin-
gle educational objective implemented directly by the CETMA Consortium headquar-
ters in Brindisi with the aim to train “Specialist Researchers in the Application of Meth-
odologies and Technologies to Support Underwater Archaeology”.
   The training program was developed from the idea of forming new professional
profiles for integrating into research activities in the field of underwater archeology
through the acquisition of specific skills on methodologies of study and analysis, re-
covery techniques and underwater diving skills, the use of innovative technologies,
including those directly resulting from the same research activities (closely related to
the research programme).
   Beneficiaries of the training project were 9 graduates, found to be suitable in the se-
lection phase and recipients of a scholarship. In detail, the training, related to increas-
ing in-depth specialized technical knowledge, has covered issues of purely scientific
themes, and those more closely related to historical-humanistic disciplines. Below is a
breakdown of the topics covered in the different sub-modules:

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                                                                                                   Submodule A1 - Elements of Computer Basics
                                                                                                   Submodule A2 - Fundamentals of Physics
                                                                                                   Submodule A3 - Fundamentals of chemical, biological and ecological sciences
                                                                                                   SubMod. A4 - Fundamentals of Materials Science
                                                                                                   SubMod. A5 - Coastal Geology and Geomorphology.
                                                                                                   SubMod. A6 – Historical-archeological and philological culture
                                                                                                   SubMod. A7 - Robotic systems
                                                                                                   SubMod. A8 – Prospecting methods and systems
                                                                                                   SubMod. A9 - Non-destructive diagnostic techniques
                                                                                                   SubMod. A10 - Dating Techniques
                                                                                                   SubMod. A11 - Electron Microscopy techniques
                                                                                                   SubMod. A12 - Underwater Archaeology and naval archeology
                                                                                                   SubMod. A13 - Enhancement of underwater heritage
L. Colizzi - The research project BLU-ARCHEOSYS: innovative technologies and advanced systems




                                                                                                   SubMod. A14 - Knowledge of the system artifact-environment
                                                                                                   SubMod. A15 - Underwater archaeological surveying and prospecting methodologies
                                                                                                   SubMod. A16 - Underwater diving qualification

                                                                                                     The above modules also included training in learning to assess and organize indus-
                                                                                                 trial research projects, managing R&D in industry, acquiring knowledge of legislative
                                                                                                 and regulatory issues in the field of cultural heritage.

                                                                                                   Educational activities generally provided a methodology for structured training in:

                                                                                                   -    lessons in the classroom with teachers and external personnel (university pro-
                                                                                                        fessors and researchers, PhD researchers and experienced professionals and
                                                                                                        qualified ESA instructors - for the section regarding the scuba diving qualifica-
                                                                                                        tion);
                                                                                                   -    practical-applied classroom activities, individual and / or group;
                                                                                                   -    laboratory activities;
                                                                                                   -    practical lessons for diving operations carried out by qualified ESA instructors,
                                                                                                        these activities were completed with the acquisition by the participants of 8 ESA
                                                                                                        Patents (Open Water Diver, Advanced Diver, First Aid, Prevention & Rescue
                                                                                                        Diver, Nitrox Diver, Orienteering Diver, Deep Diver, Archeo Diver);
                                                                                                   -    operation and experimentation alongside researchers and experts working in
                                                                                                        the BLU-ARCHEOSYS Research Project host structures and partners, with a
                                                                                                        period of on the job training in a company and individual work under supervi-
                                                                                                        sion and coordination in the same structures to develop independence through
                                                                                                        specific activities of  study, research, drafting of documents, data processing
                                                                                                        and laboratory experimentation (period of professional specialization).

                                                                                                   In detail, work placements were held at the following locations:

                                                                                                   -    CEDAD - CEnter dating and Diagnostics-Dep. Ing Innovation - University of
                                                                                                        Salento-c / o Citadel Research Brindisi;
                                                                                                   -    INOA, National Applied Optics-Smart Arnesano (Lecce);
                                                                                                   -    NAUTILUS COOPERATIVE - Vibo Valentia;
                                                                                                   -    Diagnostic Laboratory for Cultural Heritage of the Department of History and
                                                                                                        Methods for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Alma Mater Studiorum Uni-
                                                                                                        versity of Bologna, located in Ravenna and Diagnostic Laboratory at the CTA

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           (Centre for Advanced Technology) based in the Inter-university Consortium for
           Trapani;
      -    CETMA Consortium-Department of Computer Engineering - c/o Citadel Re-
           search Brindisi.

      Acknowledgements

     At the end of this extraordinary journey, I would like to thank a few people who were
immensely important, not only in achieving the objectives of the project, but also be-
cause of the human relationships that provided a fertile ground for many a challenge.
A special thank you goes to Professor Salvatore Lorusso, for his wisdom and tenac-
ity. We met in January of 2004 and it was in that meeting he told me for the first time
about this idea for a project, by producing a short but fundamental paper. Thanks also
to Professor Lucio Calcagnile, whose contribution was crucial for the most ambitious
goals of the project. Thanks also to the representatives of all the technical and scien-
tific partners of the project: Dr. Luca Pezzati (CNR INO), Dr. Pietro Basciano (Ageotec),
Professor Giuseppe Spoto, Dr. Dipietro Antonino (Dipietro Group), Giorgio Fornetti
(Enea), Professor M. Letizia Amadori (University of Urbino). I also thank Professors
Paolo Mazzoldi and Mario Lombardo for coordinating the training project in such a
masterly way.

      References

[1]       LORUSSO, S., MARINO, A., 2003, The industrial research project: “BLU-
          ARCHESOSYS - Innovative technologies and advanced systems in support of
          Underwater Archaeology. Quaderni di Scienza della Conservazione, 3, pp. 189-
          203 Pitagora Editrice, Bologna




                                                                                                      CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
[2]       LORUSSO S., 2004, La tutela e la valorizzazione dei manufatti di interesse stori-
          co in archeologia navale, Pitagora Editrice, Bologna
[3]       LORUSSO S., NATALI A., MATTEUCCI C., APICELLA S., 2012, I beni culturali
          e ambientali: formazione e ricerca, interdisciplinarità e internazionalizzazione,
          Mimesis Edizioni, Milano
[4]       LEUCCI G., D’AGOSTINO D., CATALDO R., 2012. ���������������������������
                                                                 3D high resolution gpr sur-
          vey yields insights into the history of the ancient town of Lecce (South Of Italy).
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[5]       COLIZZI L., 2003, Projecting databases and information systems, Conservation
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[6]       PEDONE A., BICZYSKO M., AND BARONE V. 2010. Environmental effects in com-
          putational spectroscopy: Accuracy and interpretation. PhysChem, 11:1812–1832.
[7]       COLIZZI L., ANDREA MARTINI A., CHIONNA F., 2010, Augmented Reality Ap-
          plied to the Diagnostics and Fruition of Cultural Heritage, Conservation Science
          in Culturale Heritage, 10, pp. 195-208
[8]       WILSON, A.S., DODSON, H.I., JANAWAY, R.C., POLLARD, A.M. AND TOBIN,
          D.J, 2010, Evaluating histological methods for assessing hair fibre degradation,
          Archaeometry, 52 (3) ,467-481
[9]       BONNEAU, A., BROCK, F., HIGHAM, T., PEARCE, D.G., POLLARD, A.M., 2011,
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                                                                                                   Biographical notes

                                                                                                    Lucio Colizzi is an Information Technology engineer. After many years of experi-
                                                                                                 ence in ICT, robotics, Virtual Reality and data processing and modeling,  in 2001 he
                                                                                                 became the ICT department Director of CETMA. Until now he has co-ordinated impor-
                                                                                                 tant national research programs and in the last ten years has also been coordinator
                                                                                                 on several projects in the field of development of  technologies for cultural heritage.
                                                                                                 He has obtained many post-graduate qualifications: BPR, Concurrent Engineering and
                                                                                                 Quality Function Deployment, STEP -ISO 10303, Simple ++, eM-Plant, eM-Planner,  
                                                                                                 Informix Dynamic Server Administration and Performance Tuning, Design For Manu-
                                                                                                 facturing & Assembly, Object Oriented design with UML, Microsoft certifications: C#;
                                                                                                 ADO.NET; ASP.NET; XML Web services.NET; PROJECT MANAGEMENT (Bocconi
                                                                                                 University). As a result of his many interests, he has taught “Project Management and
L. Colizzi - The research project BLU-ARCHEOSYS: innovative technologies and advanced systems




                                                                                                 Group Dynamics” as Adjunct Professor at the universities of Bologna and Lecce.




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