Athos Agapiou

Cyprus University of Technology · Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics

This study compares the spectral sensitivity of remotely sensed satellite images, used for the detection of archaeological remains. This comparison was based on the relative spectral response (RSR) Filters of each sensor. Spectral signatures profiles were obtained using the GER-1500 field spectroradiometer under clear sky conditions for eight diffe...

Urbanisation processes as a result of population growth, migration and infrastructure initiatives have a direct impact to cultural heritage sites. This paper aims to monitor growth dynamics of the urbanisation process that took place in the Paphos district, southwest Cyprus during the last decades, and evaluate its impact to monuments and archaeolo...

This paper aims to demonstrate results and considerations regarding the use of remote sensing big data for archaeological and Cultural Heritage management large scale applications. For this purpose, the Earth Engine© developed by Google© was exploited. Earth Engine© provides a robust and expandable cloud platform where several freely distributed re...

Multisource remote sensing data acquisition has been increased in the last years due to technological improvements and decreased acquisition cost of remotely sensed data and products. This study attempts to fuse different types of prospection data acquired from dissimilar remote sensors and explores new ways of interpreting remote sensing data obta...

The integration of different remote sensing datasets acquired from optical and radar sensors can improve the overall performance and detection rate for mapping sub-surface archaeological remains. However, data fusion remains a challenge for archaeological prospection studies, since remotely sensed sensors have different instrument principles, opera...

The antiquity of human dispersal into Mediterranean islands and ensuing coastal adaptation have remained largely unexplored due to the prevailing assumption that the sea was a barrier to movement and that islands were hostile environments to early hunter-gatherers [J. F. Cherry, T. P. Leppard, J. Isl. Coast. Archaeol. 13, 191–205 (2018), 10.1080/15...

The detection of subsurface archaeological remains using a range of remote sensing methods poses several challenges. Recent studies regarding the detection of archaeological proxies like those of cropmarks highlight the complexity of the phenomenon. In this work, we present three different methods, and associated indices, for identifying stressed r...

Detection of subsurface archaeological remains using a range of remote sensing methods, poses several challenges until today. Recent studies regarding the detection of archaeological proxies like those of cropmarks highlight the complexity of the phenomenon. In this work we present three different methods, and associated indices, for identifying st...

The antiquity of human dispersal into Mediterranean islands and ensuing coastal adaptation have remained largely unexplored due to the prevailing assumption that the sea was a barrier to movement, and that islands were hostile environments to early hunter-gatherers (Cherry & Leppard 2018; Leppard et al. 2022). Using the latest archaeological data,...

This review paper aims to provide a meta-analysis of the scientific literature for heritage documentation and monitoring using geo-information sensors. The study initially introduces the main types of geomatic sensors that are currently widely used for heritage studies. Although the list provided here is indicative rather than exhaustive, it provid...

Recent improvements in low-altitude remote sensors and image processing analysis can be utilised to support archaeological research. Over the last decade, the increased use of remote sensing sensors and their products for archaeological science and cultural heritage studies has been reported in the literature. Therefore, different spatial and spect...

This paper aims to introduce the concept and objectives of a recently supported European project entitled “Geomatics and Civil Engineering Innovative Research on Heritage”, in short ENGINEER. The ENGINEER project visions to enhance and extend inter-departmental multidisciplinary research activities of the Department of Civil Engineering & Geomatics...

Digital analytical tools combined with 3D documentation are used incrementally in building rehabilitation in the conservation state analysis process. In the last decade, due to the current advancements in the Architecture Engineering Construction (AEC) industry, the application of BIM methods in heritage building conservation started becoming more...

In this communication we aim to provide an overview of Earth observation and remote sensing in archaeology following a non-traditional literature review approach, that is, investigating recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and language models. Towards this direction, the generative pre-trained transformer (ChatGPT) language model was...

In an era of rapid technological improvements, state-of-the-art methodologies and tools dedicated to protecting and promoting our cultural heritage should be developed and extensively employed in the contemporary built environment and lifestyle. At the same time, sustainability principles underline the importance of the continuous use of historic o...

This study aims to provide new insights into Europe’s largest known Bronze Age earthworks using open-access and freely distributed medium-resolution satellite images. The most extensive Bronze Age fortifications in Europe, namely, the Corneşti-Iarcuri and Sântana – Cetatea Veche sites, were investigated through the Sentinel 2 and the newly launched...

In an era of rapid technological improvements, state-of-the-art methodologies and tools dedicated to protecting and promoting our cultural heritage should be developed and extensively employed in the contemporary built environment and lifestyle. At the same time, sustainability principles underline the importance of the continuous use of historic o...

This paper presents the results of the chemical, microscopic and isotopic analysis of an archaeometallurgical assemblage consisting of slag and metal samples from two Cypro-Classical monuments recently located within the urban landscape of the polity of Paphos, and from two slag heaps in the metalliferous region of the Paphos hinterland. The projec...

This communication study aims to provide evidence on how Sentinel sensors and Copernicus Programme’s contributing missions can support heritage endangered by natural hazards. The recent catastrophic floods of 2022 in Pakistan, mainly in the Indus Valley, threatened one of the most iconic sites within the country; thus, the UNESCO World Heritage Sit...

This study aims to investigate potential archaeological proxies at a large Bronze Age fortification in Hungary, namely the Csanádpalota-Juhász T. tanya site, using open-access satellite data. Available Sentinel-2 images acquired between April 2017 and September 2022 were used. More than 700 images (727) were initially processed and filtered, accoun...

The documentation and protection of archaeological and cultural heritage (ACH) using remote sensing, a non-destructive tool, is increasingly popular for experts around the world, as it allows rapid searching and mapping at multiple scales, rapid analysis of multi-source data sets, and dynamic monitoring of ACH sites and their environments. The expl...

The Kotroni Archaeological Research Project (KASP) seeks to understand the relationship between the natural and human landscape of Aphidna from prehistory through to the present, and how such rural communities contributed to the economic, social and cultural life of larger, ‘core’ centres in the region. As one of the constitutional demes of Classic...

Observing phenological changes are important for evaluating the natural regeneration process of forests, especially in Mediterranean areas where the regeneration of coniferous forests depends on seeds and the changes in blossoming time are influenced by climate change. The high temporal resolution of Sentinel-1 data allows the time series analysis...

This study explores the potential use of integrated radar and optical freely and open access distributed satellite images, namely the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2, respectively, to detect areas with archaeological interest. The Google Earth Engine platform was used to extract the backscattering signal from the Sentinel-1 sensor and the reflectance val...

This chapter presents examples of remote sensing studies for monitoring natural hazards related to ancient monuments and archaeological sites in Cyprus. Through these studies, the use of Earth Observation, and specifically the contribution of the European Copernicus Programme, is highlighted. Most of them have been carried out during the last years...

Mapping surface ceramics through systematic pedestrian archaeological survey is considered a consistent method to recover the cultural biography of sites within a micro-region. Archaeologists nowadays conduct surface survey equipped with navigation devices counting, documenting, and collecting surface archaeological potsherds within a set of plotte...

Soil erosion is a constant environmental threat for the entirety of Europe. Numerous studies have been published during the last years concerning assessing soil erosion utilising Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Such studies commonly employ empirical erosion models to estimate soil loss on various spatial scales. In thi...

Predictive models have become an integral part of archaeological research, particularly in the discovery of new archaeological sites. In this paper, we apply predictive modeling to map high potential Pleistocene archaeological locales on the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. The model delineates landscape characteristics that denote ar...

The submerged harbors of Amathus in Cyprus and Hipponion in the South of Italy are examples of sensitive cultural heritage requiring special attention in the frame of Marine Spatial Planning. This paper introduces the use of the DESIS sensor, an imaging spectrometer mounted on the International Space Station, for the monitoring of cultural heritage...

The consolidation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetric techniques for campaigns with high and medium observation scales has triggered the development of new application areas. Most of these vehicles are equipped with common visible-band sensors capable of mapping areas of interest at various spatial resolutions. It is often necessary to...

Among the environmental threats, the intensification of natural hazards, such as soil erosion may threaten the integrity and value of cultural heritage sites. In this framework, the present study’s main objective was to identify archaeological sites susceptible by soil erosion, taking the case study of Chania prefecture in Crete Island. Remotely se...

Land cover mapping is often performed via satellite or aerial multispectral/hyperspectral datasets. This paper explores new potentials for the characterisation of land cover from archive greyscale satellite sources by using classification analysis of colourised images. In particular, a CORONA satellite image over Larnaca city in Cyprus was used for...

This study combines satellite observation, cloud platforms, and geographical information systems (GIS) to investigate at a macro-scale level of observation the thermal conditions of two historic clusters in Cyprus, namely in Limassol and Strovolos municipalities. The two case studies share different environmental and climatic conditions. The former...

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations state that cities and human settlements need to be more inclusive, safe and resilient. In Europe cities have experienced dramatic physical, social and economic changes during the last decades while historic centres of European cities, among the most important assets of the European cult...

Cultural heritage monuments and sites, as an integral part of the human-built environment, are completely exposed to natural hazards' adverse actions. Hence, the identification of the sites being exposed to soil erosion can be considered as a crucial need. In this framework, this study's main objective was to identify archaeological sites susceptib...

The ERATOSTHENES CoE aspires to actively contribute to the European Research Area ( priorities in Atmosphere and Climate, Resilient Societies and Big Earth Data Analytics, as well as to become the reference Earth Observation/Geoinformation Centre for research and innovation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa ( region The ECo...

The article presents recent capabilities of active and passive earth observation sensors along with related processing image chains, for monitoring UNESCO World Heritage properties. Exceptional heritage sites and landscapes are found in dynamic environments, whereas both anthropogenic and natural changes are observed. The use of radar and optical s...

This article summarises the contribution of the European Union's Earth Observation Copernicus Programme, and other satellite-based platforms for cultural heritage applications and highlights the results of some national and European projects conducted in this domain. Even though the Copernicus Programme has recently been introduced for cultural her...

This paper presents how the EXSELSIOR H2020 Teaming project will support the management and monitoring of the cultural heritage domain through its research and innovation agenda within the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa (region known as EMMENA). The pressing need for protecting the cultural heritage assets is highlighted throu...

The submerged harbor of Amathus in Cyprus is a sensitive cultural heritage requiring special attention in the frame of Marine Spatial Planning. The monitoring of water depth in the surrounding area can raise awareness on effects, such as shoreline erosion, which could lead to a deterioration of the relics.

Amathus archaeological site is one of the most important monuments (memorials), which remains for up to 2300 years. Last decades, archaeological sites, face anthropogenic and natural disturbances. One of those is the land movements that come from landslides or earthquakes. Improved remote-sensing techniques and new data more contemporary can assist...

Extensively worked in antiquity, Skouriotissa remains the only active copper mine on the island of Cyprus. The modern, open-cast operation, however, has almost completely obliterated the earlier mining landscape. Here the authors report the results of investigations, including dating, of the ancient topography of the mine. They incorporate spatial...

Urban sprawl can negatively impact the archaeological record of an area. In order to study the urbanisation process and its patterns, satellite images were used in the past to identify land-use changes and detect individual buildings and constructions. However, this approach involves the acquisition of high-resolution satellite images, the cost of...

This study deals with the investigation of the Eastern necropolis of Nea Paphos in western Cyprus, employing archival and recent aerial photographs for the identification of surface/near-surface ancient architectural remains. The analysis of the primary archival aerial photograph employed for this study reveals the archaeological visibility of the...

Online seminar on Cultural Heritage organised by ESA Downstream Gateway on December 10,

Characterization of asphalt pavements, based on ground spectroradiometers, has been studied in the past to determine their spectral response concerning the physical, chemical, and condition properties of the pavement. This paper suggests an alternative technique for characterizing ageing of asphalt pavements using a colorimeter. Colorimeters are co...

On the 4th of August 2020, a massive explosion occurred in the harbor area of Beirut, Lebanon, killing more than 100 people and damaging numerous buildings in its proximity. The current article aims to showcase how open access and freely distributed satellite data, such as those of the Copernicus radar and optical sensors, can deliver a damage prox...

The submerged harbor of Amathus in Cyprus is a sensitive cultural heritage requiring special attention in the frame of Marine Spatial Planning. The monitoring of water depth in the surrounding area can raise awareness on effects, such as shoreline erosion, which could lead to a deterioration of the relics. This paper assesses the quality of bathyme...

The distribution of free and open access radar satellite datasets, like those of Sentinel-1, have provided new opportunities for monitoring archaeological sites and monuments in a systematic way, and especially after earthquake events. While optical sensors are established in the scientific literature and radar sensors are lately introduced in the...

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We are invited to the webinar sessions organized by the Greek Chapter of CAA International (Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology) on "Current Status and the Future of Digital Archeology in the Eastern Mediterranean" The invited speakers and the participants will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences on...

This paper presents the significance and importance of promoting the benefits of Earth Observation when implemented in ‘secondary’ and ‘higher education’ in Cyprus schools. Firstly, examples of how Earth observation is used in other countries for the secondary education such as Germany and China and how ESA through Earth Observation education mater...

The paper summarizes the methodology followed, to evaluate the accuracy of different digitization methods of ecclesiastical monuments in 3D computer vision form and stresses the importance of photographic equipment calibration. In this study, a set of images were taken using the CANON EOS M5 digital camera, while the internal calibration parameters...

This study aims to investigate the potentials of open-access, freely distributed Earth Observation images for detecting large-scale looted areas. The analysis was conducted using medium-resolution Landsat 7 ETM+ images over the archaeological site of Apamea, at Syria. The site has been systematically and extensively looted in the recent past, attra...

Monitoring vegetation cover is an essential parameter for assessing various natural and anthropogenic hazards that occur at the vicinity of archaeological sites and landscapes. In this study, we used free and open access to Copernicus Earth Observation datasets. In particular, the proportion of vegetation cover is estimated from the analysis of Sen...

Red–green–blue (RGB) cameras which are attached in commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can support remote-observation small-scale campaigns, by mapping, within a few centimeter’s accuracy, an area of interest. Vegetated areas need to be identified either for masking purposes (e.g., to exclude vegetated areas for the production of a digital e...

DASOS is an open source software developed by the authors of this abstract to support the usage of full-waveform (FW) LiDAR data. Traditionally LiDAR record only a few peak point returns, while FW LiDAR systems digitizes the entire backscattered signal returned to the instrument into discrete waveforms. Each waveform consists of a set of waveform s...

Disaster risk management (DRM) for cultural heritage is a complex task that requires multidisciplinary cooperation. This short communication underlines the critical role of satellite remote sensing (also known as earth observation) in DRM in dealing with various hazards for cultural heritage sites and monuments. Here, satellite observation potentia...

This communication emanates from the lack of a European-scale study for investigating the potential threats that subsurface archaeological remains face today due to soil loss by water. This research analyses the impact of soil loss on potential subsurface archaeological evidence by integrating open geospatial datasets deriving from two pertinent Eu...

The use of medium resolution, open access, and freely distributed satellite images, such as those of Landsat, is still understudied in the domain of archaeological research, mainly due to restrictions of spatial resolution. This investigation aims to showcase how the synergistic use of Landsat and Sentinel optical sensors can efficiently support ar...

In southern Australia, many native mammals and birds rely on hollows for sheltering,while hollows are more likely to exist on dead trees. Therefore, detection of dead trees could beuseful in managing biodiversity. Detecting dead standing (snags) versus dead fallen trees (CoarseWoody Debris—CWD) is a very different task from a classification perspec...

Subsurface targets can be detected from space-borne sensors via archaeological proxies, known in the literature as cropmarks. A topic that has been limited in its investigation in the past is the identification of the optimal spatial resolution of satellite sensors, which can better support image extraction of archaeological proxies, especially in...

This book investigates the added value that satellite technologies and remote sensing could provide for a more sustainable mapping, monitoring and management of heritage sites, be it for purposes of regular maintenance or for risk mitigation in case of natural or man-caused hazards. One of the major goals of this book is to provide a clear overview...

Satellite remote sensing is considered as an increasingly important technology for detecting underground structures. It can be applied to a wide range of applications , as shown by various researchers. However, there is a great need to integrate information from a variety of sources, sent at different times and of different qualities using remote s...

Earth observation sensors continually provide datasets with different spectral and spatial characteristics, while a series of pre- and postprocessing techniques are needed for calibration purposes. Nowadays, a variety of satellite images have become accessible to researchers, while big data cloud platforms allow them to deal with an extensive numbe...

Obsidian, a naturally occurring glass and rare resource, appears in the archaeological record of Cyprus at the same time when human populations establish permanent settlements across the island. Geological sources of obsidian do not occur on Cyprus so the material had to be procured elsewhere and then introduced to the eastern Mediterranean island....

Active satellite remote sensors have emerged in the last years in the field of archaeology, providing new tools for monitoring extensive cultural heritage landscapes and areas. These active sensors, namely synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, provide systematic datasets for mapping land movements triggered from earthquakes, landslides, and so...

This paper aims to explore the integration of field spectroscopy and satellite remote sensing approaches to detect underground structures in Cyprus. A SVC-HR1024 field spectroradiometer was used and in-band reflectances were determined for medium resolution Landsat 7 ETM satellite sensor. In order to study possible differences of the spectral signa...

Ten, widely-used vegetation indices (VIs), were evaluated for their ability to identify military underground structures. During this study, several ground spectroradiometric campaigns took place, in a fenced military area in Cyprus, cultivated with barley crops, during a complete phenological cycle (2016–2017). A SVC HR-1024 field spectroradiometer...

Optical remote sensing has been widely used for the identification of archaeological proxies. Such proxies, known as crop or soil marks, can be detected in multispectral images due to their spectral signatures and the distinct contrast that they provide in relation to the surrounding area. The current availability of high-resolution satellite datas...

Remote sensing is considered as an increasingly important technology for military intelligence. New satellite missions, such as Sentinel 2A, may provide systematic datasets for monitoring vast areas of interest. However, there is a great need to understand the information retrieved from such sensors. This paper contemplates the results obtained fro...

Cyprus, being located on the Mediterranean fault zone, exhibits a unique geodynamic regime since its tectonic evolution is driven by the interaction of the Eurasian and the African plate. Besides its seismological interest, Cyprus exhibits many active landslides and slope instabilities in areas of steep topography that pose an imminent threat for e...

During the last years, various methods and techniques have been used to estimate the seafloor topography with high accuracy. The topography is considered an important component for marine applications since several activities and infrastructures are being carried out at the bottom, column and surface of the sea. In this, study, freely and open dist...

The scope of this work is to present an integrated methodological multi-scale and multi-temporal approach for the study of ancient monuments in their environmental context. The presented work showcases the interdisciplinary research experience gained during the last years by the Remote Sensing and Geo-Environment Lab (ERATOSTHENES Research Centre)...

This paper aims to explore the importance of monitoring military landscapes in Cyprus using Earth Observation. The rising availability of remote sensing data provides adequate opportunities for monitoring military landscapes and detecting underground military man-made structures. In order to study possible differences in the spectral signatures of...

The project aims to establish a “Remote Sensing Science Center for Cultural Heritage” in Cyprus. The Center foresees to support the current Cultural Heritage (CH) 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 th...

Soil loss has been long characterized as one of the main threats of climate change with possible impact to natural and cultural heritage (UNESCO report 2006). This study illustrates how applied geomatics integrating earth observation and geographical information systems (GIS) can be used to quantify this threat in an UNESCO protected archeological...

Satellite remote sensing is considered as an increasingly important technology for detect underground structures. It can be applied to a wide range of applications as shown from various researchers. However, there is a great need to integrate information from a variety of sources, sent at different times and of different qualities using remote sens...

The Natura 2000 network is an essential tool for the protection and conservation of habitats and species throughout Europe. Each member state is responsible for the designation and management of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), according to the provisions of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). One of the key components for the conservation of...

MedSTACH is the acronym for an AGILE-supported Teaming Phase 1 project (one year duration) aiming to design a Cyprus-based Eastern Mediterranean Science and Technology Centre of Excellence for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (CH).

This paper presents a multidisciplinary methodological approach to the study of archaeological sites with low visibility in the modern landscape. The urban expansion of many modern cities that have been developed very near or on ancient grounds has had a serious effect on the visibility of ancient sites. In addition, the unearthing of archaeologica...

MedSTACH is the acronym for an AGILE-supported Teaming Phase 1 project (one year duration) aiming to design a Cyprus-based Eastern Mediterranean Science and Technology Centre of Excellence for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (CH). MedSTACH’s mission encompasses the development of the necessary scientific and technological environment for advancin...