Linking remote sensing and infra-site analysis to the reconstruction of rural settlement and landscape patterns

A certain dissatisfaction with the results obtained through the use of traditional methods in our landscape project has led us in the last ten years to focus our interest on the need to test new instruments and new approaches to construction of the archaeological record. The peculiarities of the south Tuscan landscape (low level of visibility and heavy clay soils) have directed us towards those techniques of remote sensing that leave a wide choice to the archaeologist in the periods for carrying out data capture. In particular we have begun to work on Ikonos-2 and QuickBird-2 imagery, on a systematic program of aerial survey and on micro-digital terrain modelling using digital photogrammetry. On the ground our infra-site analysis has been improved by applying extensive magnetic survey, differential GPS and PDA computer with mobile GIS system. Along with the development of new technologies we have continued the study of historical aerial photographs and the use of field-walking survey, both of which constitute undeniably valuable sources for the archaeological study of settlement patterns. The results that we have obtained are encouraging and show clearly the need to use integrated sources. Source-integration now represents the prime focus of our research. Without this approach we foresee little possibility of obtaining results which will have a real effect on our understanding of the diachronic development of the settlement patterns of the region.