Underwater Operations for Data Collection in Integrated Cultural Heritage Monitoring and Protection

Underwater cultural heritage (UCH) is threatened by climatic risks, natural hazards, pollution and human induced activities, which increases the need for integrated monitoring approaches that combine advanced technologies with reliable in situ observations. This study presents the experience gained during underwater operations carried out in THETIDA project. This involved the deployment of coordinated teams of specialized and recreational divers across four Mediterranean pilot sites for data collection and documentation in support of integrated monitoring and protection of UCH sites. Diving teams were systematically deployed to collect various datasets (e.g. high-resolution photographic and video data), perform archaeological measurements, mapping using established underwater archaeology techniques and provide ground truth and spatial referencing data using a series of underwater technologies (e.g. wearable sensors, hyperspectral cameras, autonomous under water vehicles, among others).

At the 18th-century Nissia shipwreck (Cyprus), diving operations were carried out in parallel with a site excavation, hyperspectral imaging of wooden structures, material and biofouling sampling and the deployment of wearable, seabed and boat operated environmental sensing systems. Comparable methodologies were applied at deeper sites, including the WWII Equa shipwreck and the Roman Albenga II shipwreck of Gallinara Island (Italy), as well as the WWII B-24 Liberator aircraft (Portugal). Across these sites, divers performed detailed photogrammetric surveys and 3D reconstructions, in operations under constrained visibility and challenging conditions, putting into practice the validation of the performance and durability of prototype underwater sensing devices. Diver observations obtained at sites were also considered essential for the identification of site-specific risks, such as sediment mobility, biological colonization and physical disturbances. In addition to scientific data acquisition, the underwater operations supported participatory monitoring through citizen-science activities (operation of boat sensing devices), aiming to contribute to long-term site and data continuity.

The obtained results demonstrate that diving underwater operations are considered to be a key complementary component for integrated UCH monitoring, merging knowledge from specialist expertise with sensor-based systems in an effort to enhance informed conservation and protection strategies. Data gathered is also essential for the development of hazard and risk models that allow the prediction and aid the management of these UCH. The experience gained indicates that diving data collection is essential for integrating archaeological documentation, environmental sensing, and survey data under real field conditions. Underwater diver-led operations can serve as both primary data collectors and ground-truth contributors effectively bridging together human expertise with advanced monitoring technologies for the protection of underwater cultural heritage.

Acknowledgement:

This research has been funded by European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under THETIDA project (Grant Agreement No. 101095253) (Technologies and methods for improved resilience and sustainable preservation of underwater and coastal cultural heritage to cope with climate change, natural hazards and environmental pollution).