Conference Agenda

Public and private construction projects typically must take account of archaeological features during development, to avoid damaging or destroying cultural heritage sites and preserve historical artifacts. However, some archaeological sites are not visible at ground level, only becoming obvious when seen from above – and even then, the indicators may not be clearly visible or visible all year around.

Remote sensing archaeology using satellites, drones and aircraft etc. has enabled better detection of cultural heritage and archaeological sites over the last two decades. In particular, active remote sensing using radar and lidar (light detection and ranging) can be used to detect sites buried in deserts or hidden in forests. However, drone-based services only provide analysis for a specific area at a single point in time, which may not provide accurate detection if, for example, features are covered by seasonal vegetation.

The power of SmartDIG is that by using an innovative AI approach, it can quickly analyse EO imagery of the same spot in different seasons to find the best timeframe for detecting any features and confirm the presence of those features across the year. Also, the service can, if required, analyse locations anywhere in the world with no physical access constraints, unlike drone or aerial services.

By combining AI with traditional in-situ and remote sensing techniques, and using multiple sources of EO data, SmartDIG will provide an efficient, user-friendly tool that significantly speeds up access to the information required by developers, urban planners and government organisations.

Historically, tourism development policies have primarily focused on increasing attractiveness, visitor numbers, and spending within a region. However, the issue of overtourism has recently become a significant concern for both policymakers and local residents, impacting large cities and natural areas alike. This raises critical questions about how local communities can manage visitor numbers, such as by implementing quotas or closing sites temporarily to allow for vegetation regeneration, improve local acceptance, and prevent conflicts or safety issues.

Currently, these decisions are often made without sufficient scientific backing or full consideration of available data. To address this, the concept of Tourism Carrying Capacity (TCC) is essential. TCC refers to the maximum number of visitors a site can accommodate without causing environmental degradation, serving as a vital tool for balancing tourism development with environmental preservation.

The proposed study is innovative in its approach, utilizing a variety of data inputs to measure TCC and support more informed decision-making in tourism management. This research could revolutionize how tourism areas are managed by helping policymakers optimize tourism development while respecting environmental limits.

Environmental capacity is precisely determined using three key indicators based on spatial data:

• Water pressure: Measures the impact on water resources using satellite data (Copernicus Land).
• Biodiversity: Assesses vegetation health and trampling effects through data from Copernicus Land and Sentinel-2 imagery.
• Air quality: Monitors pollution levels according to WHO standards using Copernicus Atmosphere data.

These indicators are combined with tourist visitation data to identify correlations between tourism and environmental impact. Acceptable visitation thresholds are then established based on existing environmental regulations or the targeted environmental impact levels set by local authorities. This approach ensures a balanced and sustainable development of tourism that respects both environmental and social limits.

The safeguarding of cultural heritage requires robust approaches and strategies based on advanced technology capable of monitoring and preserving archaeological assets at risk from climate change, uncontrolled urbanization, infrastructural development, and invasive agricultural practices. Remote sensing techniques such as LiDAR, SAR, and multispectral analysis (VIS, Infrared) have proven to be fundamental tools for creating predictive models aimed at the conservation of cultural heritage in areas of high archaeological potential. In recent years, the use of multispectral Sentinel-2 data has spread with great success, thanks to its high temporal frequency and, above all, the ease of access from Copernicus Programme. This study introduces new methodological approaches for landscape analysis, with a particular focus on preventive archaeology, using multispectral Sentinel-2 data acquired between 2017 and 2023. The case study is the ancient Roman city of Telesia, located near the confluence of the Calore and Volturno rivers, northeast of the city of Benevento, southern Italy, in an area characterised by both excavated and still-buried archaeological structures. The spectral behaviour of the still-buried archaeological features (buildings, roads, ceramic materials) has been studied through the analysis of Sentinel-2 reflectance values. The results highlight how detailed analysis of accurately geolocated sampling polygons can lead to a clear spectral separation between areas of potential archaeological interest from those without buried remains. This study highlights the potential of EO-derived data in the prevention and conservation of cultural heritage activities; moreover, it proves to be essential not only for the discovery of new archaeological sites but also for urban planning and land management. In fact, the collected information can guide the drafting of the Municipal Urban Plan (PUC), contributing to a more informed and sustainable management of cultural heritage.

This work introduces a Muon Tomography technology designed for non-invasive scanning and analysis of internal structures in a variety of objects, including cultural heritage sites. To enhance the effectiveness of Muon Tomography in heritage conservation, this approach proposes integrating Earth Observation (EO) data, specifically from remote sensing technologies such as high-resolution satellite imagery and LiDAR, to provide a comprehensive understanding of both surface and subsurface conditions of heritage sites.

Underground imaging is possible thanks to the unique properties of muons, subatomic particles characterized by high energy and heavy mass. These properties allow muons to penetrate deeply through various materials, including dense substances like metals, lead, platinum, gold, and uranium. Unlike other particles, muons maintain straight and long tracks as they travel through matter, with minimal scattering and energy loss, enabling them to penetrate rock masses up to at least 2400 meters under the ground.

High-resolution satellite imagery provides detailed surface data, while LiDAR offers precise topographical information. These EO technologies, combined with the subsurface insights from Muon Tomography, create a multi-layered view of heritage sites. This comprehensive approach allows for the early detection of structural issues, enabling proactive conservation efforts. Additionally, the integration supports ongoing monitoring of heritage sites, ensuring their long-term preservation by allowing timely interventions.