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BIM and GIS Integration for Archaeology: a new method for documenting field archaeology

Project description

An innovative method of archaeological data management

Advanced technology offers new pathways to archaeological research. The EU-funded BiGAr project will integrate Building Information Modelling (BIM) with Geographical Information System (GIS) to document the 4D nature of archaeological evidence and their traditional information. This methodology represents an innovation in archaeological research. It will permit a higher level of collaboration through the web and provide a new frontier for spatial analysis and management of the cultural landscape. The project will use the new digital application to manage the archaeological data collected in the fieldwork around two ancient capitals, Rome (Gabii Project) and Ravenna (Ravenna Landscape Archaeological Project).

Objective

The BIGAr project aims to innovate archaeological research methodology developing a digital application to integrate representation software (Building Informative Model -BIM- and Geographical Information System -GIS-) to document the 4D nature of archaeological evidence as well as their traditional information (i.e. text or photography). This approach can be quicker and more complete than others currently used; it allows a higher degree of collaboration via Web as well as it provides a new frontier for spatial analysis and management of Cultural Landscape. So far, in archaeology, the use of BIM is only applied to architectural analysis and never integrated with GIS. Thus, I will use innovative geospatial environment, developing a new digital workflow of integration GIS and BIM, for managing archaeological data, collected in field works as excavations and surveys. To achieve this target I will develop a dedicated application based on an original programming script, using open source software. Such a research will be possible merging competences and laboratories of the 3 involved Organizations: the University of Michigan (outgoing phase, supervisor Prof. Nicola Terrenato), the University of Minho (secondment, supervisor Prof. Miguel Azenha), and the University of Bologna (return phase, supervisor Prof. Andrea Augenti). The field data will come from two projects active in the area around two ancient capitals, Rome (Gabii Project, University of Michigan) and Ravenna (Ravenna Landscape Archaeological Project, University of Bologna). As part of the MSCA-IF-2020-GF action at the Universities of Michigan and Minho, two world leading institutions in this field, I will receive the necessary high-quality training, which will allow the continuation of a successful career in the field of archaeology and the development at Bologna University of this technology, that will be transferable to any other archaeological project in EU and beyond.

Coordinator

ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA
Net EU contribution
€ 269 002,56
Address
VIA ZAMBONI 33
40126 Bologna
Italy

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Region
Nord-Est Emilia-Romagna Bologna
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 269 002,56

Partners (1)