Drone-Based High-Resolution LiDAR for Undercanopy Archaeology in Mediterranean Environment: Rusellae Case Study (Italy)

Abstract

This paper presents a novel methodology and workflow successful in identifying and mapping undercanopy archaeology in woodland Mediterranean areas. The study area is characterized by dense vegetation typical of the Mediterranean area, located in southern Tuscany (Italy), within the territory of the ancient city of Rusellae next to the Tyrrhenian seaside. In February 2021, a drone-based LiDAR acquisition was led over an area of 550 ha, with an average of ~700 points/m². Specifically, the combination of aerial drone and LiDAR sensor enabled us to obtain high-resolution and high-quantity data, requiring significant processing efforts facilitated by the collaboration among various expertise in different fields, such as archaeology, computer science and geomatics. Among the most significant, this experience demonstrates the implementation of a methodology that, under certain circumstances, can be effective for the archaeological study of Mediterranean landscapes covered by dense canopy and undergrowth vegetation. The results provide new insights into these areas by shedding light on previously unknown archaeological features and enhancing our understanding of past landscapes.