As part of the research activities within WP5 – Immersive Audible Spaces, which focuses on the development of computational methods and interactive tools for the digital reconstruction of historical soundscapes, an extensive survey campaign has recently commenced at the archaeological site of Morgantina. This initial phase marks the beginning of a broader programme of investigations that will be extended to various sites across Italy and Greece.
The fieldwork was conducted by Dr. Laura Schepis, Research Fellow for WP5, and focused specifically on the Theatron area. The primary objective is to acquire high-precision data to ensure the digital preservation and future public dissemination of this invaluable material and intangible heritage.
Survey Methodology
The campaign utilised an integrated aerial photogrammetric survey, resulting in a high-resolution dataset of imagery. To ensure rigorous metric accuracy, the methodology combined several advanced technologies:
- GNSS System (Centimetric GPS): Employed for the acquisition of absolute coordinates of Ground Control Points (GCPs).
- Total Station: Used as an essential support to achieve millimetric accuracy in topographic data directly on-site.
- Terrestrial Photogrammetry: Utilised to complement aerial data, particularly for documenting areas currently under protective covers for site conservation.
Future Developments and Immersive Reality
In addition to metric surveying, photographic and video materials were acquired to document the current state of conservation of the monument. These data serve not only an archival purpose but also form the foundation for the forthcoming phases of WP5. The processed 3D models will be integrated with virtual acoustic simulations and implemented within interactive platforms.
The ultimate aim is the creation of VR tours for panoramic exploration and real-time XR environments (developed via Unreal Engine), which will facilitate immersive navigation, allowing users to experience both the current state of the site and its accurately reconstructed virtual and acoustic configuration.
Principal Investigator: Prof. Angela Bellia
