Osor, 26.10.2015
High-tech archaeological prospection survey reveals traces of
Roman city and medieval monastery at Osor (Croatia)
The remains of a Roman city and a major Christian monastery have been
discovered in Osor, island Cres. Using cutting edge archaeological
technologies archaeologists from Croatia and Austria have revealed yet
unknown monuments without turning a single piece of soil.
An international team of archaeologist of the Austrian Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for
Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology, the University of Vienna and the
Lošinj Museum has explored the antique city of Osor using latest non-destructive
geophysical prospection technology: large-scale measurements with newly
developed motorized georadar systems have revealed the remains of the city hidden
in the ground in great detail - without turning a single piece of soil.
The project was started in 2012 when for the first time laser scanning of the land and
sea was done. The scientists have discovered and investigated unknown cultural
heritage sites under water and in forested areas. In 2014, archaeological geophysical
prospection was applied in Osor for the first time resulting in the discovery of new
monuments.
The research project is a collaboration between the Vienna-based Ludwig Boltzmann
Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology (LBI ArchPro),
University Vienna and the Lošinj Museum. The application of non-destructive
archaeological methods at Osor is a first in Croatia and brings many benefits:
archaeological sites can be digitally documented and investigated very fast and
efficiently. This is not only useful for the Croatian archaeologists and a sustainable
management of cultural heritage but also for every single local community and
planning offices as it makes the planning of new buildings easy and cost-effective.
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About the methods
Geophysical prospection: Georadar
Stone structures, trenches, pits, layer interfaces, cavities and other three-dimensional
structures hidden in the ground may be mapped by georadar. The georadar is an active
sounding method that provides detailed 3D-information on the location, shape and depth of
subsurface archaeological remains. It can see approximately two metres into the ground.
The georadar system is pushed by a small tractor or pulled by a Quad bike.
Airborne Laser Scanning
ALS is used to detect and document surface archaeological features from the air across
large areas. The laser scanner is mounted under an airplane and scans the ground surface
by recording the reflections of the laser beam; the position of the airplane is derived from
precise GPS measurements. The ALS data is used to generate detailed digital terrain
models that reveal even faint archaeological structures in the topography.
Airborne Laser Bathymetry
Airborne bathymetric laser scanners are used in high-resolution hydrographical surveying.
They can be successfully applied for exploring and imaging underwater archaeological
structures in depths of up to 10 metres.
About the team
Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology
The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology (LBI
ArchPro) is a research institute of the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft (http://www.lbg.ac.at)
and was founded in 2010. The institute carries out its research activities together with several
international partner organizations and aims to create a network of archaeological scientists
supporting interdisciplinary research programmes for the development of large scale,
efficient, non-invasive technologies for the discovery, documentation, visualisation and
interpretation of Europe's archaeological heritage.
The lead partners of the institute based in Vienna, are the University of Vienna (A), the
Vienna University of Technology (A), ZAMG-the Austrian Central Institute for Meteorology
and Geodynamics (A), the Province of Lower Austria (A), Airborne Technologies (A),
7reasons (A), the Austrian Academy of Sciences (A), the Austrian Archaeological Institute
(A), RGZM-the Roman-Germanic Central Museum Mainz (D), the National Historical
Museums – Contract Archaeology Service (S), the University of Birmingham (GB), the
Vestfold County Council (N) and NIKU-the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage
Research (N).
http://archpro.lbg.ac.at
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University of Vienna (Vienna Archaeological Institute, Department of Prehistoric and
Historic Archaeology)
The Vienna Institute for Archaeological Science (VIAS) is specialised in archaeological
prospection, experienced in VR approaches and has its respective focus set on basic
research in the application of geophysical prospection methods in theory and practice,
terrestrial 3D laser scanning and aerial archaeology. VIAS hosts a large digital archive of
archaeological prospection data based on national and international surveys and
investigations.
http://vias.univie.ac.at/
The Department of Prehistoric and Historic Archaeology (UHA) is specialised in Aerial
Archaeology and has focused one line of its research and teaching strategies on
archaeological prospection and landscape archaeology. The department hosts a large aerial
archive comprising vertical and oblique photographs as well as an extended digital archive
including ortho-photos, digital terrain models and archaeological interpretation data. The
recent research programmes were based on the archaeological application of Airborne Laser
Scanning and Aerial Archaeology.
https://uha.univie.ac.at/
Lošinj Museum
In September 2007 the Lošinj Museum detached from the Adult Education Centre of Mali
Lošinj and was founded as a local city museum of common type, its founder being the City of
Mali Lošinj. The Museum functions in three buildings in Veli Lošinj, Mali Lošinj and Osor and
on two islands, Lošinj and Cres. Lošinj Museum has its seat in the Fritzi Palace which
houses permanent exhibitions (Piperata Collection, Mihičić Collection and Photograph
Collection of Dante Lussin), The Fritzi Gallery and the museum staff.
The Tower Museum-Gallery in Veli Lošinj is a showroom of the Lošinj Museum in which the
permanent exhibition on history of Veli Lošinj is set, together with the Tower Gallery. The
Archaeological Collection of Osor is a separate and autonomous department of the Lošinj
Museum.
http://www.muzej.losinj.hr
Contacts
Zrinka Ettinger-Starčić
Lošinj Museum (director, senior curator, archaeologist)
Tel. +385 (0) 51 237-346
zrinka@muzej.losinj.hr
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Dr.Mag. Nives Doneus
Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection & Virtual Archaeology (senior
researcher)
Tel. +43 (0) 699 15206502
nives.doneus@archpro.lbg.ac.at
Univ.Prof. Dr. Michael Doneus
University Vienna
Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection & Virtual Archaeology (Vice
Director)
Tel: +43 (0) 664 6027740486,
michael.doneus@archpro.lbg.ac.at
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