Remote sensing applications and archaeological research in the Northern Lagoon of Venice: the case of the lost settlement of Constanciacus

"Vicus Constanciacus" is a project for the recovery, protection and evaluation of the historical and archaeological heritage of Constanciacus, an ancient small group of islands in the Northern Lagoon of Venice, of which currently just two emerged strips survive, namely: the abandoned islands of Sant'Ariano and La Cura. Exploring the area lying between the mainland and the lagoon represents an important opportunity for reconstructing the history of Venice before the well known medieval city and market arose. Through survey and excavations of the Constanciacus area, the project aims to shed new light on early patterns of occupation in the Northern Venetian lagoon; to explore the communication network between the mainland and the sea; and to examine the evolution of settlements along the commercial routes of the Lagoon through time. The particular research environment of the lagoon requires a close collaboration between archaeologists and scientists of differing expertise. Remote sensing (RS) in this case is critical for investigating the ancient extent and geomorphology of the ancient islands. Aerial photographs, (both vertical and oblique), and HR satellite images, are being used to identify past traces of occupation that nowadays are buried below earth surface or under the shallow waters of the lagoon. Visual analysis of the remotely sensed data is supported by enhancement and processing techniques that emphasize the presence of anomalies of the terrain and vegetation that can be related to archaeological structures. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.