Integrated Geomatic Techniques for Georeferencing and Reconstructing the Position of Underground Archaeological Sites: The Case Study of the Augustus Sundial (Rome)

High-precision geomatic techniques successfully reconstructed the position of a short, exposed segment (less than 7 meters) of Emperor Augustus' Sundial—a once-imposing instrument buried beneath Rome's historic center. This reconstruction, critical for 'reverse engineering' the sundial's operation, mitigates errors that could propagate from centimeters to meters when extrapolating its full structure, which may extend tens or even hundreds of meters underground. The study demonstrates how integrating geomatic methods—such as geodetic surveys and 3D modeling—enables accurate excavation planning while minimizing risks to overlying historic buildings. By georeferencing the visible fragment within a precise reference system, researchers identified potential areas for further excavation, advancing both archaeological interpretation and our understanding of this ancient scientific instrument's role in modern calendar systems.

Baiocchi, V., Brigante, R., Del Pizzo, S., Giannone, F., Onori, M., Radicioni, F., Stoppini, A., Tosi, G., Troisi, S., & Baumgartner, M. (2020). Integrated Geomatic Techniques for Georeferencing and Reconstructing the Position of Underground Archaeological Sites: The Case Study of the Augustus Sundial (Rome). Remote Sensing, 12(24), 4064. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12244064