Hyperspectral fluorescence lidar imaging at the Colosseum, Rome: elucidating past conservation interventions

Area of Science:

• Geospatial analysis
• Cultural heritage preservation
• Remote sensing technology

Background:

• Stone cultural heritage sites require non-invasive diagnostic methods for monitoring.
• Understanding past conservation interventions is crucial for ongoing preservation efforts.
• Outdoor environments present challenges for detailed heritage site analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of hyperspectral fluorescence lidar for documenting past conservation interventions.
• To assess the capability of lidar in discriminating between different materials on a historical monument.
• To provide a rapid, large-scale in situ screening method for heritage sites.

Main Methods:

• Deployment of two hyperspectral fluorescence lidar imaging systems.
• Scanning of selected portions of the Colosseum, Rome.
• Analysis of fluorescence signatures emitted by various materials.

Main Results:

• Successful discrimination between original masonry, reinforcement structures, and protective coatings.
• Identification of materials related to past conservation interventions.
• Demonstration of lidar's potential for large-scale in situ screening.

Conclusions:

• Hyperspectral fluorescence lidar is a valuable tool for non-invasive diagnostics of stone cultural heritage.
• The technique provides crucial information for assessing past conservation efforts.
• Lidar enables efficient, large-scale in situ screening of monuments like the Colosseum.