UAS-based capacity building for enhancing minor archaeology

Modern remote sensing techniques from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms provide high-precision survey tools for recognizing and measuring minor archaeological remains scattered across the contemporary landscape at risk of loss. In particular, the digital terrain model (DTM) obtained through the classification of the different signal returns of point clouds acquired with LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) technique favors a clear identification of archaeological features through the implementation of some specific visualization techniques (Hillshading, Sky View Factor, Openness). Conversely, acquiring raster datasets allows the elaboration of detailed three-dimensional models that are useful for knowing the geometric conformation, construction type, and state of preservation of archaeological remains. In this paper, we present the contribution that these remote sensing techniques have provided for the elaboration of capacity-building models for the enhancement of some remains of minor military archaeology dating back to the Great War present in Val Belviso, in the province of Sondrio in northern Italy.