Special Session 17

The session delves into the transformative impact of remote sensing, 3D digital imaging, and mapping technologies on the archaeology and cultural heritage of Malta. These advanced tools offer unprecedented opportunities for uncovering, documenting, and preserving Malta's rich historical and cultural landscapes. By integrating high-resolution satellite imagery, aerial photography, LiDAR data, and ground-based surveys, researchers can now explore and analyze archaeological sites with remarkable detail and accuracy. This multidisciplinary approach not only aids in the discovery and interpretation of hidden or inaccessible features but also plays a crucial role in the conservation of these invaluable resources. The session will showcase cutting-edge research and innovative methodologies that leverage these technologies to enhance our understanding of Malta's past, from prehistoric times through to the modern era, emphasizing their application in preventive archaeology, heritage management, and sustainable preservation strategies.

Davide Tanasi, is Professor of Digital Humanities in the Department of History at the University of South Florida where is also founder and director of the Institute for Digital Exploration. Specializing in the archaeology of ancient Sicily and Malta, he utilizes scientific and digital methods for studying archaeological and historical material culture. Tanasi's work promotes public archaeology and science dissemination. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Torino and has been actively involved in various significant digital archaeological projects in the Mediterranean region and in Florida. Tanasi's scholarly contributions include extensive publications on Sicilian and Maltese archaeology, underlining his commitment to advancing the understanding of ancient civilizations.

David Cardona, is an archaeologist with a very broad range of interests. He has interest in the archaeology of architecture and ancient technologies and, more recently, landscape and burial archaeology. He has researched the use of stone within buildings on the Maltese Islands the Prehistoric period in fulfilment of his Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology, while his MA thesis dealt with the architectural decoration of Roman buildings on Malta and Gozo. This culminated in his book “Roman Architecture in Malta”. His doctoral degree from the University of Leicester, called “Landscapes of Death and Commemoration: burial space, place and evolution from Phoenician to late Roman Malta” combined various forms of spatial data onto a GIS platform to analyse landscape use, connections and transformations. He currently holds the position of Senior Manager for archaeological research and senior curator for Phoenician, Roman and Medieval sites within Heritage Malta.