Systematic autonomous remote surveying of underwater cultural heritage monuments and artefacts using non-destructive, cost-effective and transportable digital solutions

Project Information

NERITES

Grant agreement ID: 101132575

DOI

10.3030/101132575

EC signature date 6 November 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 31 December 2026

Funded under

• Culture, creativity and inclusive society

Total cost

€ 3 994 750,00

EU contribution

€ 3 994 750,00

Coordinated by

LZH LASERZENTRUM HANNOVER EV
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NERITES (Systematic autonomous remote surveying of underwater cultural heritage monuments and artefacts using non-destructive, cost-effective and transportable digital solutions)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Coastal and marine regions are rich in valuable underwater cultural heritage (UCH) of great archeological and cultural significance. However, these submerged assets are increasingly threatened by environmental changes, human activities and insufficient conservation frameworks. Unlike cultural assets on land, UCH often lacks continuous monitoring and structured protection. Traditional inspections by divers are expensive, dangerous, and logistically challenging.
Underwater conditions further complicate monitoring: salt water accelerates corrosion, poor visibility and biological colonization affect inspection, and many sites are difficult to access. Environmental factors such as salinity and currents cannot be influenced, so monitoring systems must operate reliably under these conditions.
The NERITES project offers an autonomous, cost-effective solution for remote monitoring of UCH. It combines modern sensor technology, autonomous underwater robotics, and renewable energy to reduce both investment and operating costs. At its heart is a modular, torpedo-shaped AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) equipped with:
• A one-degree-of-freedom (1DoF) laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor for in-situ chemical composition analysis (e.g. Fe, Al, Zn, Cu)
• quantum cascade laser (QCL)-based sensor for hydrocarbon and carbonate mapping without requiring water sampling
• Advanced photogrammetry tools for detecting visual degradation (e.g. colonization, cracks, discoloration...)
The system is complemented by a submerged docking station and a surface buoy, which enable long-duration, remotely operated missions requiring minimal human intervention.
NERITES combines sensor data with traditional diving inspections to deliver reliable, validated results while reducing risks and costs. The aim is to protect UCH in the long term, promote digital and sustainable technologies, and improve access to monitoring data for research, authorities, and the public.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first 15 months of the NERITES project, the consortium established a comprehensive foundation for the autonomous monitoring and preservation of UCH. The focus was placed on strategic planning, the development of technical specifications, the initiation of system design and early steps toward integration and validation.
Effective project management ensured progress monitoring, quality assurance, and risk management. A data management system based on FAIR principles guarantees the reuse and long-term availability of project data.
Technically, a comprehensive evaluation concept was developed which, together with end users and partners, defined specific mission objectives, environmental conditions, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for two pilot sites (Baiae, Italy, and Fournoi, Greece). KPIs include, among others, deployment time, diving depth, sensor performance, and system reliability.
The technical requirements for the AUV, buoy, and docking station were described in detail. Challenges such as precise sensor positioning, navigation, energy self-sufficiency, and communication were specifically addressed to ensure reliable operation at sensitive UCH sites.
A framework for assessing degradation processes was developed that classifies physical, chemical, and biological hazards. Predictive analyses and site-specific monitoring models are created based on material, structural, and environmental parameters.
Initial development of technical components has begun, including the Remote Monitoring and Control Center (RMCC), the design of the AUV and buoy, and an AI-supported mission planning tool for adaptive control.
Advances in sensor technologies include:
• Laboratory tests of a LIBS prototype for material analysis,
• Design of a QCL-based sensor for environmental pollutants,
• AI-supported photogrammetry for damage detection,
• development of a data-based tool for degradation assessment.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The Monitoring and preserving of underwater cultural heritage (UCH) have been severely limited by technological barriers and costly manual diving inspections. These provide only limited information, require post-processing on land, and do not enable real-time analysis. As a result, decisions on protective measures are significantly delayed.
NERITES closes this gap with an autonomous, data-driven system for UCH monitoring that significantly outperforms current technologies. At its core is a modular AUV with advanced in-situ sensors (LIBS, QCL) that detect chemical changes directly and non-destructively – without sampling. It is complemented by energy-autonomous buoys, an underwater docking station, and a real-time connection to the land station for dynamic mission control.
Methodologically innovative is an archetype-based classification framework that categorizes UCH sites based on structural and ecological characteristics. Combined with real-time data and AI analysis, this results in site-specific degradation indices that enable proactive and precise conservation strategies – far beyond previous reactive approaches.
The potential impact is significant: NERITES offers a scalable, automated, and cost-efficient solution for frequent, systematic condition analysis. This allows damage to be detected early and informed protective measures to be initiated more quickly. In addition, the system can be transferred to other applications such as environmental monitoring, offshore inspections, or disaster response.
Key measures have been identified to ensure the broad impact of the project:
• Field tests in various environments to validate system performance
• Standardization for integration into existing cultural heritage protection frameworks
• Further development of sensor technology, AI, and energy management
• Access to financing and market launch
• IPR strategies and international cooperation with end users
NERITES will also lay the foundation for new, non-invasive conservation technologies, such as contactless cleaning, targeted removal of fouling, and protective coatings. Although not part of the project, such developments are being prepared by NERITES.