Remote sensing techniques for reconstructing a vast Neolithic settlement in Southern Italy

The combined application of remote sensing techniques is often the most effective way for deepening the knowledge on very large archaeological (several hectares). In particular, geophysics and aerial photography could yield very detailed information on buried structures not only outlining their location but also, in many cases, defining their planimetry. Moreover, the accurate geocoding of different data sets and the use of GIS for their integration allow to extract the most comprehensive information from a combined study. In this paper the results of a highly integrated non-intrusive investigation are presented. The study site is located in the Tavoliere (Southern Italy) and is part of a very important and rich archaeological landscape. The remains recovered on the ground by the archaeologists indicate the presence of different phases of frequentation mainly datable from the Neolithic to the Medieval Age. The main purpose of the combined study was to locate and identify the buried features with a specific interest for the prehistoric time. The final high-resolution and geocoded images allowed for a general recongnition of the layered structures and a more complete reconstruction of the Neolithic village. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.