The ‘ClepsYdra’ project will maximize the accessibility of information on the current state of submerged archaeological sites, facilitating cultural heritage surveys in shallow water environments.
A new research project called “ClepsYdra” aims to strengthen the rescue effort of underwater archaeological treasures. The coordinator is the Geophysical Satellite Remote Sensing and Archeological Environment Laboratory (GeoSat ReSeArch Lab) of the Institute of Mediterranean Studies (IMS) of the Technology and Research Foundation (ITE). Scientific manager of the project is Dr. Nikos Papadopoulos, Director of Research at ITE.
Underwater archaeological sites are threatened by both man-made and natural factors such as salinity, waves and water movement, algae, sand movements, coastal erosion, etc. As it is not easy for researchers to locate them, the risk of them being destroyed is increased.
The ‘ClepsYdra’ project will maximize the accessibility of information on the current state of submerged archaeological sites, facilitating cultural heritage surveys in shallow water environments.
In addition, it will support the promotion of these areas, the awareness of local communities and the participation in protection and digital curation practices. To achieve these goals, two research institutes, IMS-ITE from Greece and ISPC-CNR from Italy, are joining forces, in close cooperation with the Hellenic Ephorate of Marine Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, with the ultimate goal of promoting future cooperation on a larger scale.
Eastern Crete lends itself to the selection of the program’s fields of application, as geomorphological processes shaped large-scale changes on the coast of the island. A series of sites (Koufonissi, Chrysi, Ierapetra) testify to the change of the landscape, with the result that earlier coastal settlements are now covered with layers of water and/or sand and possibly excluded from their thorough study by the scientific community. The project will complete archaeological research with modern methodologies and innovative technological tools.
The contribution to the documentation of the current situation will be made through: a) aerial/satellite remote sensing, with a specific objective of the historical reconstruction of the coastal zone and seabed b) digital photogrammetry with the adaptation of a remotely operated floating device and special protocols to deal with the deformation of the camera/lens in the aquatic environment c) the multiparametric geophysical mapping with adaptation of sensors and protocols for the wet environment, d) the risk assessment of coastal/submerged sites by integrating a set of spatial information, e) the development of a virtual/augmented reality platform to be powered with the above data, with the ultimate goal of promoting the cultural heritage that is currently submerged in shallow marine environments.
The “ClepsYdra” program is financed by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HEL.ID.EK) within the framework of the 2nd Call for Research Projects EL.ID.EK. for the support of Faculty Members and Researchers and will last for two years.
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