76011 - Multimedia Technologies in Archaelogy

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with knowledge of digital technologies applied to archaeological research across the different application areas that characterise the complex workflow through which information associated with archaeological data is processed from survey techniques to excavation, cataloguing, conservation, and the subsequent museum presentation of archaeological heritage. The widespread use of digital technologies for the representation of information throughout the various stages of this process has made computer applications in archaeology a systemic process integrating, through networked environments, a wide range of multimedia technologies based on object-oriented, cross-platform, and web-based languages. These technologies are generally organised within centralised server-based systems and rely on metadata standards (e.g. XML, JavaScript, KML). At the end of the course, students will be able to manage this complex methodological and technological workflow; possess the theoretical and practical foundations of the digital representation of archaeological data in its various formats; possess the theoretical and practical foundations of the techniques and protocols used for the transformation, representation, transmission, and communication of archaeological data; possess the knowledge, appropriate strategies, and practical skills required to contribute consciously to the design and implementation of a server-based web information system for the storage and multimedia representation of archaeological data.

Course contents

Particular attention will be devoted to the conscious and critical use of digital technologies as tools supporting archaeological research. The course will highlight how every digital output must be based on data acquired through rigorous methodologies, be scientifically verifiable, and address specific research questions, avoiding the use of technologies merely for demonstration purposes or without solid methodological foundations.

The course will address the following topics:

• Principles of digital documentation in archaeology;
  
• Positioning and georeferencing of archaeological data (reference systems, coordinate systems, optical level, total station, GNSS receivers);
• Aerial and satellite photography in archaeology;
• Technologies for the three-dimensional survey of archaeological heritage (photogrammetric techniques, laser scanner, LiDAR, UAV-based systems);
• Methods and tools for the digital documentation of archaeological artefacts;
• Processing and management of digital data (GIS, databases, specialised software for three-dimensional data, processing of 2D and 3D documentation);
• Digital technologies for 3D modelling and virtual reconstruction;
• Digital tools for the communication of archaeological heritage;
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence applied to archaeology.

Throughout the course, significant national and international case studies will be presented and analysed, focusing on the use of multimedia technologies in archaeological research, enhancement and communication of archaeological heritage.

Readings/Bibliography

Given the specific structure of the course, regular attendance is strongly recommended.

Students will be considered attending students if they have attended at least 12 out of 15 lectures. Students who are absent for more than 3 lectures will not be considered attending students and will be required to prepare the non-attending students’ programme described below.

 

Attending students

Exam preparation must be based on students’ lecture notes as well as on the following compulsory texts:

• Giorgi E (ed.), 2009, groma2. In profondità senza scavare. Metodologie di indagine non invasiva e diagnostica per l'archeologia, Bologna, the following selected sections:

- 3. Topografia per l’archeologia (pp. 29-90, 171-186);

- 4. Topografia per l’archeologia. Schede (4.1 Sistemi di riferimento; 4.2 Sistemi di coordinate; 4.3 Cartografia; 4.4 Carte archeologiche; 4.6 Livello ottico; 4.7 Stazione totale; 4.8 GNSS; 4.10 Laser scanner; 4.13 Applicativi di grafica; 4.14 Formati immagine) (pp. 221-232, 237-250, 253-256, 262-275);

- 7. Gestione dati per l’archeologia (pp. 421-438);

- 8. Gestione dati per l’archeologia. Schede (8.3 WebGIS) (pp. 477-480).

 

• Russo M. – Remondino F. – Guidi G., 2011, Principali tecniche e strumenti per il rilievo tridimensionale in ambito archeologico, in Archeologia e Calcolatori 22, pp. 169-198.

• Verdiani G., 2017, Retroprogettazione. Metodologie ed esperienze di ricostruzione 3D digitale per il Patrimonio Costruito, Firenze, the following selected sections: pp. 11-50.

• Alessandri L. et al., 2025, From pencil to pixel: assessing ceramatic 2.0 against manual and laser-aided techniques in archaeological pottery documentation, in Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 37, pp. 1-10.

• One paper selected from the following:

- Buscemi F. et al. 2020, Use and reuse of spatial and quantitative data in archaeology: from 3D survey to serious game at Phaistos (Crete), in Archeologia e Calcolatori 31.1, pp. 189-212.

- Marano M. – Frisoni D. – Secci R., 2025, New technologies in the enhancement of an archaeological site: Virtual Archaeology experiences at the Punic site of Sarcapos (S. Maria di Villaputzu, Sardinia), in Aran Journal 1, Special Issue: ISC-RHCG-2025, pp. 440-461.

- Siotto E. – Cignoni P., 2024, Digital methods and techniques for reconstructing and visualizing ancient 3D polychromy – An overview, in Journal of Cultural Heritage 68, pp. 59-85.

 

Non-attending students

Exam preparation must be based on the following compulsory texts:

• Giorgi E (ed.), 2009, groma2. In profondità senza scavare. Metodologie di indagine non invasiva e diagnostica per l'archeologia, Bologna, the following selected sections:

- 3. Topografia per l’archeologia (pp. 29-90, 171-186);

- 4. Topografia per l’archeologia. Schede (4.1 Sistemi di riferimento; 4.2 Sistemi di coordinate; 4.3 Cartografia; 4.4 Carte archeologiche; 4.6 Livello ottico; 4.7 Stazione totale; 4.8 GNSS; 4.10 Laser scanner; 4.13 Applicativi di grafica; 4.14 Formati immagine) (pp. 221-232, 237-250, 253-256, 262-275);

- 7. Gestione dati per l’archeologia (pp. 421-438);

- 8. Gestione dati per l’archeologia. Schede (8.3 WebGIS) (pp. 477-480).

 

• Russo M. – Remondino F. – Guidi G., 2011, Principali tecniche e strumenti per il rilievo tridimensionale in ambito archeologico, in Archeologia e Calcolatori 22, pp. 169-198.

• Verdiani G., 2017, Retroprogettazione. Metodologie ed esperienze di ricostruzione 3D digitale per il Patrimonio Costruito, Firenze, the following selected sections: pp. 11-50.

• Remondino F. – Campana S. (eds.), 2014, 3D Modeling in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage: Theory and Best Practices, Oxford. (full text)

• Demetrescu E., 2018, Virtual Reconstruction as a Scientific Tool: The Extended Matrix and Source-Based Modelling Approach, in Münster S. et al. (eds.), Digital Research and Education in Architectural Heritage (= Communications in Computer and Information Science, 817), Cham, pp. 102-116.

• Alessandri L. et al., 2025, From pencil to pixel: assessing ceramatic 2.0 against manual and laser-aided techniques in archaeological pottery documentation, in Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 37, pp. 1-10.

• One paper selected from the following:

- Buscemi F. et al. 2020, Use and reuse of spatial and quantitative data in archaeology: from 3D survey to serious game at Phaistos (Crete), in Archeologia e Calcolatori 31.1, pp. 189-212.

- Marano M. – Frisoni D. – Secci R., 2025, New technologies in the enhancement of an archaeological site: Virtual Archaeology experiences at the Punic site of Sarcapos (S. Maria di Villaputzu, Sardinia), in Aran Journal 1, Special Issue: ISC-RHCG-2025, pp. 440-461.

- Siotto E. – Cignoni P., 2024, Digital methods and techniques for reconstructing and visualizing ancient 3D polychromy – An overview, in Journal of Cultural Heritage 68, pp. 59-85.

Teaching methods

The course will combine lectures with practical activities, during which students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with selected topographic instruments and specialised software for the processing and management of archaeological data. The aim is to integrate theoretical knowledge of multimedia methodologies and technologies with practical skills that can be directly applied in the archaeological profession.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning outcomes will be carried out through individual oral examinations.

The examination will consist of questions covering the fundamental topics addressed during the course.

Students are expected to demonstrate that they have acquired the fundamental principles of the discipline and are able to understand and use appropriate terminology.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not permitted during the assessment process. Any use of AI tools will be considered a violation of academic integrity.

 

Both attending and non-attending students will be assessed according to the following criteria:

- an excellent and comprehensive knowledge of the subject, combined with excellent presentation skills, outstanding critical thinking and synthesis abilities, proficiency in the methodological and technical application of course content, and the ability to establish interdisciplinary connections (30/30 cum laude);

- a broad and complete knowledge of the subject, combined with confident presentation skills and significant abilities in critical analysis, synthesis, methodological and technical application of course content, and interdisciplinary connections (28/30–30/30);

- a good knowledge of the subject, combined with good ability to present course content, apply methodological and technical concepts, and establish interdisciplinary connections (23/30–27/30);

- a sufficient knowledge of the subject, combined with a superficial presentation of concepts and limited mastery of methodological and technical applications (18/30–22/30);

- insufficient knowledge of the subject, combined with an inadequate presentation of the topics, will result in a failing grade, even in the case of regular attendance.

Teaching tools

Lecture slides (available only to attending students) provided through the Virtuale platform;

Additional specialised bibliography suggested during the lectures for further study;

Web resources.

Students who are affected by learning disability (DSA) or with temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the relevant University office in due time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en). The office will propose any appropriate accommodations to the students concerned, which must nevertheless be submitted to the professor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The professor will assess their suitability, also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Melania Marano