Introduzione all'uso dei GPS in Archeologia

The system known as GPS (Global Positioning System) is a world-wide navigation system which relies on an array of 24 satellites. It is a geographical position-ing system capable of providing, in real time or retrospectively, and without distinction of time or place, the position and speed of the person using it. In archaeology its applications are numerous, from simple determination of the absolute position of a monument to the numerical characterization of detailed micro relief. The exam-ple presented in this case-study, of Colle Breccioso, shows how it is possible to capture a large number of points in a relatively short time and without great expenditure of effort (about 3 hours to record the micro relief of an area approximately 90 x 60 meters in extent). The archaeologist, moreover, has the facility to decide, during the course of the work, on the greater or lesser spacing of the sampling points, in response to the local morphology and the possible presence of visible anomalies. The most immediate limiting factor is the presence of vegetation which, even if relatively open, can interrupt the necessary link with the satellite array. In situations of this kind it is necessary to fill with traditional survey instruments (total station).