New Perspectives for UAV-Based Modelling the Roman Gold Mining Infrastructure in NW Spain

[EN] This contribution discusses the potential of UAV-assisted (unmanned aerial vehicles) photogrammetry for the study and preservation of mining heritage sites using the example of Roman gold mining infrastructure in northwestern Spain. The study area represents the largest gold area in Roman times...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Férnandez Lozano, Javier, Bonachea, J., Morellón, M., Gonzalez Díez, A., Remoldo, Juan, Alonso Gavilán, Gaspar, García Talegón, Jacinta, Pedraza, Javier, Carrasco, Rosa M., Gutiérrez-Alonso, Gabriel
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2018
Country:España
Institution:Ajuntament de Barcelona
Repository:BULERIA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de León
OAI Identifier:oai:buleria.unileon.es:10612/21688
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10612/21688
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Ingeniería de minas
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (uav)
Roman Gold Mining
Photogrammetry
Mining
Geoheritage
Description
Summary:[EN] This contribution discusses the potential of UAV-assisted (unmanned aerial vehicles) photogrammetry for the study and preservation of mining heritage sites using the example of Roman gold mining infrastructure in northwestern Spain. The study area represents the largest gold area in Roman times and comprises 7 mining elements of interest that characterize the most representative examples of such ancient works. UAV technology provides a non-invasive procedure valuable for the acquisition of digital information in remote, difficult to access areas or under the risk of destruction. The proposed approach is a cost-effective, robust and rapid method for image processing in remote areas were no traditional surveying technologies are available. It is based on a combination of data provided by aerial orthoimage and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to improve the accuracy of UAV derived data. The results provide high-resolution orthomosaic, DEMs and 3D textured models that aim for the documentation of ancient mining scenarios, providing high-resolution digital information that improves the identification, description and interpretation of mining elements such as the hydraulic infrastructure, the presence of open-cast mines which exemplifies the different exploitation methods, and settlements. However, beyond the scientific and technical information provided by the data, the 3D documentation of ancient mining scenarios is a powerful tool for an effective and wider public diffusion ensuring the visualization, preservation and awareness over the importance and conservation of world mining heritage sites.