Laser Scanner Survey of “Africo Antica” (RC - Italy): a preliminary recovery project of an ancient village

The 3D modeling of archaeological and historical structures with the aim of a restoration represents the new frontier in the field of conservation science. Often the sites under study present a high level of structural complexity together to complicate geometries, then, the crucial point is the accuracy in the creation of 3D models. Great results in this field are expected by the use of laser scanner technology. This work wants to be the first step of a larger project aimed to recovering the ancient villages of the Grecanic area in the southern Calabria. The present study, in particular, is focused on a restoration project of a village, Africo (Rc), hit in the past by a flood. The site, located in a mountain area, is not easily accessible because of the lack of access routes and the presence, in some points, of a dense vegetation. The survey, started from the San Nicola church in the center of the village, was performed by using the laser scanner Focus3D (Faro) whose small size and weight allow an easy portability. Many scans were performed with the aim to cover the whole structure and to obtain a reconstruction of the internal and external surface of the church. Obtained point clouds were processed by using software Image 5.01 and JRC Reconstructor Software. One of the goals of this study is the creation of an interactive area, where 3D models of the ruins could be examined and visualized by the public.