Ricerc@Sapienza

This paper presents a research project developed on the archaeological site of Pietrabbondante (Italy) particularly important for its temple–theatre Italic complex. The research entailed not only the massive acquisition of the site through 3D laser scanning and image-based capturing but also the critical study and cataloging of the findings as a premise for the reconstructive hypothesis of the complex.

Today, knowledge of archaeological artifacts at various representation scales is required of any 3D model. The significance of constructing digital models in the domain of archaeology reinforces the theoretical bases of survey and representation, as structured systems for organizing and communicating information, and for critical analysis which optimizes the results obtained from the concerted work of archaeologists, architects, and informatics experts.

The construction of the San Giovanni station on the new route of Line C of the Rome metro marks a significant cultural change in Italy in the relationship between infrastructure and archaeology. The excavations of the new line that will cross the historic centre of the city have allowed an archaeological excavation campaign unthinkable otherwise, both in terms of extension and depth, giving the city not only the inconveniences of construction sites but also valuable documents for a new perspective on its history.

The construction of underground urban transport lines in Rome has provoked in the past years the discovery
and the destruction of numerous archaeological sites. The last decade has marked a significant cultural
change in Italy in the relationship between infrastructure and archaeology, thanks to the development
of new methodologies and successful experiences; thanks to the excavations for the construction, it has
been possible to realize the largest archaeological campaigns for decades and open new perspectives to

When after the Oslo and Madrid agreements the Palestinian National Authority was established it was also provided of a Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities – Dept. of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (MOTA-DACH). At that time, Sapienza University of Rome was chosen as ideal partner to start a new deal in the archaeology of Palestine.