Remote sensing of Underwater Cultural Heritage (RUSH)

Based on remotely collected data validated by direct investigations, the project aims to integrate different informational levels to develop an interdisciplinary approach that combines archaeology, geosciences, and biology. The project acknowledges underwater cultural heritage (UCH) as an integral component of the seabed that introduces new ecosystem functions with a significant impact on biodiversity and structure of marine landscapes.

The project also focusses on the digital reconstruction of the UCH as a tool to increase the protection, communication and awareness of underwater sites. The exceptional accuracy and high density of water depth measurements obtained through ultra-high resolution systems enable the 3D modeling of underwater artifacts. This data can be effectively utilized through advanced Web3D modeling techniques, enabling interactive visualization on digital platforms for the communication and management of underwater cultural heritage.

A primary objective is to identify collaborative actions to establish a multidisciplinary and multi-competent team, with a strong emphasis on information sharing and knowledge transfer to ensure the operational and sustainable use of UCH. Currently, the RUSH project is implemented at underwater sites off the coasts of Campania and Sicily Regions in Italy and the islands of Crete and Aegina in Greece.