Old Methods and New Technologies: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Archaeological Research in Sant’Arsenio (Salerno, Italy)

Abstract

This contribution is part of a project for the identification, research and protection of archaeological evidence in the village of Sant’Arsenio (SA), through the use of new technologies applied to archaeological research. In particular, the activity combines typical Remote Sensing tools (satellite data and UAVs), with a preference for open source software and open access databases, and common archaeological research practices (study of ancient and modern bibliographic sources, field survey, topographic analysis, etc.). Sant’Arsenio is a small town in the western part of Vallo di Diano, a large plain surrounded by mountains, between 450 and 480 m above sea level, located on the border between Campania and Basilicata. Information about the archaeological potential of the Sant’Arsenio appear to be relatively scarce compared to those available for the surrounding municipalities (Polla, Atena Lucana, Teggiano, Sala Consilina). This lack is due to the absence of systematic studies and planned archaeological research activities in the municipality. This paper presents the data collected between the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 by IMAA-CNR (Istituto di Metodologie per l’Analisi Ambientale del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche). In particular, the satellite data (Sentinel-2), assisted by archaeological research, allowed to identify some anomalies of archaeological interest.