Exploring the Archaeological Limit at the Amyklaion, Sparta/Greece: From Pre-excavation Methods Through Geophysics to a Central Documentation Platform in a 3D Environment

Vlizos S; Schmidt V; Kapidakis S; Kotsopoulos K

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the different technologies that were recently applied during the archaeological works at the sanctuary of Apollo Amyklaios near Sparta, Greece. The interdisciplinary approach we employed aims at facilitating collaboration among archaeologists, GIS specialists, and researchers of other fields (e.g. geophysics/geology, topography, information studies) to improve the quality of archaeological research. To that end, a platform where the archaeological data is recorded, documented, annotated with metadata and geographic reference, was implemented. Together with the Amykles Geographic Information System (GIS), these repositories store information about all the interventions carried out at the archaeological site such as geophysical surveys, excavation work, classification, and systematic mapping of excavation layers with advanced machine learning methods, 3D models, georeferenced mapping of excavation sections and so forth. This way, it is more efficient to reconstruct, classify, manage, and visualize the archaeological findings of the site and the landscape. At the Amyklaion, these approaches enhance not only the excavation process for in-depth analysis, but also the efficient management of all the data for a better approach regarding preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.