Non-Intrusive Methodologies for Large Area Urban Research

Non-Intrusive Methodologies for Large Area Urban Research brings together contributions from a conference held in 2021 in association with the ERC-funded ‘Rome Transformed’ research project. The papers address a major challenge in archaeology. Non-intrusive research in pursuit of a deeper understanding of urban areas can be both richly informative and cost-effective. Multiple successes in the field have led to an impressive array of innovative methodologies, methodologies that are frequently combined for still greater insight and impact. Geophysical surveys, the use of UAVs, the study of exposed historic structures and the exhaustive examination of archival records can all play a vital role, and the development of these data capture methodologies is of the utmost importance for the future of research. As well as advances in data capture methodologies, however, the papers also present case studies in the management of the big data generated and in the integration of different methodologies. A further strength of this collection lies in the range of site types considered. While many projects have historically pursued non-intrusive research in areas relatively clear of modern buildings, a growing number of research initiatives, such as ‘Rome Transformed’ are seeking to advance them in areas which remain densely occupied. Accordingly the material presented here will also be of interest to non-archaeologists working in such diverse fields as civil engineering, urban planning and physical geography.

Ian Haynes is Professor of Archaeology at Newcastle University, UK, and Chair of Archaeology at the British School at Rome. He is Principal Investigator of the Rome Transformed Project. Ian has directed field projects in five countries and serves as Director of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire Digital Heritage Initiative. His research interests include interaction between ancient military and civilian communities, as well as ritual and religion in antiquity.

Thea Ravasi is an archaeologist specialising in Roman architecture, urbanism, and trade. Her recent research explores imperial architecture by refining the distinctions between early- to mid-imperial and late antique, as well as Roman traditional and early Christian building practices. This work unfolds across three interrelated strands: the role of thermal and baptismal architecture in the West; the economy of imperial construction and procurement; and the design and spatial organisation of imperial court spaces.

Stephen Kay is the Archaeology Manager at the British School at Rome, a Visiting Fellow at the University of Southampton and a Visiting Researcher at the Newcastle University. He has published widely on archaeological prospection with a principal focus on applications to Roman urbanism. He is a co-director of the Falerii Novi Project, a partner in the Rome Transformed project and has led excavations at Matrice (Molise), Segni (Lazio) and Pompeii (Campania).

Salvatore Piro is Associated Senior Researcher and Head of the Geophysical Team at the Institute of Heritage’s Sciences ISPC of CNR. His research interests focus on the acquisition and processing of integrated geophysical methods for near surface investigations. Salvatore is member of SEG, EAGE, Near Surface Geophysics, EGU, EEGS and ISAP societies. He is Associate Editor of Near Surface Geophysics and of Archaeological Prospection Journals.

Paolo Liverani is Professor of Topography of Ancient Italy and Head of the Department of History, Archaeology, Geography, Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Florence. He is also a former Curator of Classical Antiquities at the Vatican Museums. Paolo’s research focuses on the topography of ancient Rome, Latium, and Etruria; Roman state art; polychromy in Roman sculpture; and the history of Rome’s archaeological collections and museums.