Mar. 18 – Drones aren’t only for war. They also have applications in the field of culture and land management. In Italy, drones are used by surveyors, architects, and engineers, as well as geologists and archaeologists. And the University of Macerata is also in the mix, studying the territory and archaeological sites through remote-controlled drones within the Italian-Albanian archaeological mission, headed by Professor Roberto Perna. The mission focuses on the Hadrianopolis site (Sofratike), in southern Albania. During the 2014excavation campaign, drones flew over Hadrianopolis, Antigonea, Jercuzat, Frashtan and the Castle of Gjirokastra. Thanks to the “Adriatic” project, financed by the Marche Region with the technical collaboration of Dronesense Ltd. experts, the use of drone technology results in the creation of 3D models and orthophotos that will be used for the study and management of the Drino Valley and for the implementation of the Civil Protection of Cultural Heritage in the Valley Plan. The data will allow for the processing of new cartography of the areas, and updated floor plans for the Plan. “Our goal – explains Perna – was to spread the potential of these technologies to all scientific research, management and promotion of cultural heritage, planning and public works experts and professionals,. The goal is to create a network of professionals and cultural institutions in Albania and Italy who share experience and good practice.” “This project brings forth the results that can be achieved thanks to the combination of new technologies and humanistic knowledge – comments the University of Macerata Dean Luigi Lacchè – and the crucial importance of internationalization for every innovation process: this is what we call humanism that innovates “.
