Earth observation technologies and cultural heritage needs through the "ATHENA TWINNING PROJECT"
Date Issued
March 2018
Author(s)
Abstract
This paper presents the main outcomes of the on-going Horizon 2020 ATHENA
Twinning project, which aims to establish a “Remote Sensing Science Center for Cultural
Heritage” in Cyprus. The Center foresees to support the current cultural heritage needs
through the systematic exploitation of earth observation technologies. For the establishment
of the center, the existing Remote Sensing and Geo-Environment Research Laboratory- of the
Eratosthenes Research Center (ERC) based at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), is
twinned with internationally-leading counterparts from the EU, the National Research
Council of Italy (CNR, through IMAA and IBAM) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).
Through this networking, the ATHENA twinning project strengthens the remote
sensing capacity in cultural heritage at CUT’s ERC.
A core element within ATHENA is knowledge transfer, achieved primarily through intense
training activities (including virtual training courses, workshops and summer schools) with an
ultimate scope to: enhance the scientific profile of the research staff; to accelerate the
development of research capabilities of the ERC as well as to promote earth observation
knowledge and best practices intended for Cultural Heritage. Active and passive remote
sensing data for archaeology, SAR for change and deformation detection, satellite monitoring
for archaeological looting, integration of remote sensing data for protection and preservation
of cultural heritage are also presented.
The scientific strengthening and networking achieved in Cyprus through the ATHENA
project, could be of great benefit for the entire Eastern Mediterranean Region bearing a
plethora of archaeological sites and monuments urgently calling for monitoring and
safeguarding.
Twinning project, which aims to establish a “Remote Sensing Science Center for Cultural
Heritage” in Cyprus. The Center foresees to support the current cultural heritage needs
through the systematic exploitation of earth observation technologies. For the establishment
of the center, the existing Remote Sensing and Geo-Environment Research Laboratory- of the
Eratosthenes Research Center (ERC) based at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), is
twinned with internationally-leading counterparts from the EU, the National Research
Council of Italy (CNR, through IMAA and IBAM) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).
Through this networking, the ATHENA twinning project strengthens the remote
sensing capacity in cultural heritage at CUT’s ERC.
A core element within ATHENA is knowledge transfer, achieved primarily through intense
training activities (including virtual training courses, workshops and summer schools) with an
ultimate scope to: enhance the scientific profile of the research staff; to accelerate the
development of research capabilities of the ERC as well as to promote earth observation
knowledge and best practices intended for Cultural Heritage. Active and passive remote
sensing data for archaeology, SAR for change and deformation detection, satellite monitoring
for archaeological looting, integration of remote sensing data for protection and preservation
of cultural heritage are also presented.
The scientific strengthening and networking achieved in Cyprus through the ATHENA
project, could be of great benefit for the entire Eastern Mediterranean Region bearing a
plethora of archaeological sites and monuments urgently calling for monitoring and
safeguarding.