Ashtech ProMark 500 selected to improve archeological study of 10 km2 history-rich site
The ancient harbor of Ostia, a major Roman archeological site, has been chosen by the Superintendent of the Archeological Heritage of Rome to receive a complete verification of all its former control points and a new GNSS-based coordinate system. The update, which began this past March using the Ashtech® ProMark™ 500 GNSS receiver, will aid efforts to manage and plan future archeological studies at the site, noted for its preserved ancient buildings, beautiful frescos and mosaics.
Ostia was founded in 620 BCE as a military base to control the mouth of the Tiber river. Beginning in the 2nd century BCE, as Rome gained supremacy throughout the Mediterranean, the port grew to become the main emporium of Rome with many significant public and private buildings. Now located 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) inland from the shoreline, the 10 square kilometer (6.2 square mile) site is believed to remain rich in yet-to-be-discovered history.
The Superintendent for the Archaeological Heritage of Rome selected the ProMark 500 survey system for its overall cost effectiveness, convenience and outstanding GNSS performance amid ruins and beneath vegetation.
The ProMark 500 receiver will be used to check and develop the existing network of control points and to extend the network further into the archaeological area. In addition, all points are being geo-referenced to the IGM – ETRF 2000’s Reference Coordinate System. The project will also be included in a technical and scientific study about new survey techniques and technologies for the preservation of archaeological heritage to be presented to an upcoming congress of Italian universities and archaeological institutes. The project is lead by team manager Marco Sangiorgio, cartographer director coordinator, together with architects, Fabio Pandolfi, Stefano Stani and Aldo Marano.
Giorgio Viaggi and Luigino De Santis of Guido Veronesi S.a.s., a software developer and Ashtech dealer in Italy, assisted in developing the hardware and software solution, RTK survey techniques and data workflow procedures for the project.
For more information visit: www.veronesi.org.
About the Ashtech Brand
Recognized as an industry leading brand, Ashtech has been developing GNSS technology for more than 25 years. Ashtech is the creator of BLADE technology, which is a unique method for using multiple GNSS constellations for high-accuracy positioning. Ashtech also introduced the MobileMapper® series of products for GIS and mapping, as well as the ProFlex™ 500 and ProMark series, including the ProMark 500, ProMark 200 and ProMark 100, a well-recognized GNSS land survey product line currently on the market. Following the recent acquisition of Ashtech by Trimble, the Ashtech teams, GNSS solutions portfolio and distribution networks are now part of the Spectra Precision Business. For more information on Ashtech, visit: www.ashtech.com.
About the Spectra Precision Brand
Spectra Precision has long been an established brand, known for delivering quality products to the construction market. Focusing on the specific needs of the conventional surveying market, the Spectra Precision brand offers a complete product portfolio including Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), optical total stations, data collection hardware, field and office software, as well as a wide range of construction tools. Spectra Precision surveying equipment is an economical choice that utilizes technologies for optimal efficiency. With convenience and reliability as the foundation of the Spectra Precision brand, it is an ideal choice for value. The Spectra Precision brand is backed with the strong technical support that users have come to expect from a quality name in surveying and construction.