DOCSLIB.ORG

Gathering GPR Inspections and UAV Survey in Cultural Heritage Documentation Context

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Gathering GPR Inspections and UAV Survey in Cultural Heritage Documentation Context Gathering GPR Inspections and UAV Survey in Cultural Heritage Documentation Context Alessandro Arato2, Flora Garofalo2, Giulia Sammartano1 and Antonia Spanò1 1(DAD) Department of Architecture and Design, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy 2(DIATI) Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy Keywords: UAV Photogrammetry, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Historical Maps, GIS, Cultural Heritage. Abstract: The archaeological researches and more generally the Cultural Heritage (CH) documentation and conservation activities have been favourably disposed to the use of new technologies, with renewed and increasing interest in the use of integrated techniques. In the field of Geomatics the advent of advanced technologies has allowed and facilitated multidisciplinary studies as well as combined approaches to the documentation in various contexts. The production of spatially located data (e.g. from active or passive sensors placed in different system segments, from terrestrial to aerial to satellite position) and their interoperability from different source, with the help of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), were then made easier. The work has the aim of investigating the integration of multiple data derived from aerial photogrammetry products through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) survey, from geophysical Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) prospection technique and analysis of historical maps. An archaeological area in the south of Piedmont (Italy), next to the ancient Roman settlement of Pollentia, has been the test case. The present fulfilled test was objected to exclude ancient presences, although this type of workflow is generally aimed to analyse and compare results in order to formulate some hypothesis about the potential presence of submerged elements or built substructures in the investigated area. 1 INTRODUCTION generally highly significant in this kind of project, have been compared and commented by GIS tools in Adding to the widening of cultural assets typologies final results. subject to the safeguard aims, ranging from ancient to modern heritage, from architectural to landscape, and from mobile assets to intangible cultural heritage, the 2 METHODS increasing challenges of CH conservation has given rise to an incessant specialization of methods 2.1 UAV Photogrammetry involved in the protection projects. This trend has become visible in data collecting and survey, data The UAV photogrammetry has developed very archiving and structuring, and finally in rapidly whereas it is able to fulfil successfully the communication and dissemination processes. Some large-scale maps updating in many fields such as features are increasingly requested to acquisition environmental, CH applications. (Haala et al., 2011) techniques: mainly 3D nature of data, quick acquiring One relevant strong point of UAV systems for and low cost solutions, keeping high accuracies and photogrammetry is the nadiral point of view overall quality. On these bases, the present paper wish connected with the ability to choose the height of to investigate the integration of strengthened flight depending on the requested scale of survey. techniques as Ground Penetrating Radar purposed to The low cost, the high handily with contained search possible submerged archaeological remains, playloads, and the ability to perform autonomous with emergent methods for quick large-scale flights starting from a predefined flight plan, are other mapping, generated from UAV photogrammetry. decisive advantages. Navigation sensors such as Moreover the examination of historical maps, GNSS receivers (Global Navigation Satellite System) 85 Arato, A., Garofalo, F., Sammartano, G. and Spanò, A. Gathering GPR Inspections and UAV Survey in Cultural Heritage Documentation Context. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Geographical Information Systems Theory, Applications and Management (GISTAM 2016), pages 85-91 ISBN: 978-989-758-188-5 Copyright c 2016 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved GISTAM 2016 - 2nd International Conference on Geographical Information Systems Theory, Applications and Management and inertial sensors (IMU, Inertial Measurement 2.2 GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) Unit) are conveniently integrated; the effectiveness of Survey the whole system depends from the balance of their accuracy and reliability with the Flight control GPR method is based on the generation of an device. (Rinaudo et al., 2012) electromagnetic (EM) impulse through a signal The product of UAV photogrammetry consists in generator, connected to a transmitting antenna (Tx) a set of images from which it is possible to extract and a receiving antenna (Rx). The GPR systems work point clouds, 3D textured models, Digital Surface in the frequency range between 10 MHz and 3 GHz. Model (DSM) and Orthophoto the processes are The choice of the system frequency is essential and mainly automated by an image matching technique, has to be made according to the scope of the survey. so it’s clear the reasons of increase. In fact, being the frequency inversely proportional to In the next experience the only ortophoto will be the wavelength, lower frequencies imply deeper used, which is absolutely the most automated product signal penetration but lower resolution, while higher that is possible to derive, and this is one of the main frequency allow the increase the resolution but reason of the method choice. reducing the signal penetration. Structure-from-Motion (SFM) systems allow In archaeological researches, GPR survey is used estimating the 3D position of points represented in in order to correlate electromagnetic impedance multiple images, reconstructing the geometry of the contrasts to possible submerged remains. represented object (structure) and the acquisitions The electromagnetic discontinuities (or dielectric position (motion), even when are not available the interfaces), act as signal reflectors, refractors and defined camera calibration parameters. The diffractors, via multiple mechanisms (e.g. Davis and characteristic elements (tie-features) of images are Annan, 1989; Reynolds, 1997). Soil specific automatically preliminarily extracted; in particular characteristics, like structure and texture, mineral they are extracted objects (points) recognizable by the composition, pore-fluid distribution and chemistry, software thanks to the radiometric contrast in influence the signal penetration as well (e.g. Sen et different directions, which identifies unambiguously al., 1981; Friedman, 1998; Cosenza et al., 2003). the pixel. One of the most common algorithms for Each reflection implies an energy loss, and the features identification and description for the received signal is strongly attenuated with respect to association and the consequent orientation of images the constant transmitted signal. Common GPR in photogrammetric software and computer vision is surveys are carried out along profiles, with the aim of SIFT (Scale-Invariant Feature Transform). (Lowe, obtaining 2-dimensional (2-D) sections of the subsoil. 2004; Szeliski, 2011) A radar profile is a composition of all the recorded In the next step of feature matching, points with signals, called traces, and allows to understand the more similar descriptors (recognized by the software subsoil inhomogeneity, or dielectric interfaces. In as homologous) are aligned to make the next step of archaeological context, the analysis of a single profile triangulation - bundle adjustment. is not sufficient, and a 3-D survey must be done to In SFM processes the orientation parameters are map the lateral discontinuities. The results are usually not necessarily known; so, using the rules of the presented in the form of time-slices, horizontal maps epipolar geometry, which regulates relations between at constant time (or depth). the tie points (TP), the acquisition centers and the point 3D position, to direct acquisitions and estimate 2.3 Historical Maps Contribution and internal and external orientation. Their Spatial Reference The success of the GPR survey is highly affected by the prevision of searched remains. The shape of possible submerged building elements related with the period of construction and especially the depth at whom they are expected to be found are very relevant in order to correctly plan the parameters of GPR Figure 1: Two example of unmanned vehicles, the ones survey. Then a panoramic examination of historical used in the further test: hexacopter by Mikrokopter and cartography is usually highly advisable. Ebee by Sensfly. The geometric and projective characteristics and properties of early cartographic representations have been largely studied when digital technologies have 86 Gathering GPR Inspections and UAV Survey in Cultural Heritage Documentation Context spread new perspectives for the visualization in the 3.1 Photogrammetric Survey of Lot same spatial reference of recent maps. (e.g. 2076 in Pollenzo by Drones Livieratos, 2006; Balletti, 2006). Many research projects has directed efforts towards The first purpose of the photogrammetric flight on the the use of GIS techniques of calibration, georeferencing Pollenzo 2076 lot was exactly the fast generation of a and transformation of projection, for enabling the high resolution ortophoto, using aerial photos acquired comparison among historical and actual maps. contemporary to GPS survey in order to keep easily the In brief, the relation among the points coordinates spatial reference of GPR
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Greatness and Decline of Rome
    THE GREATNESS AND DECLINE OF ROME VOL. V. THE REPUBLIC OF AUGUSTUS BY GUGLIELMO FERRERO TRANSLATED BY REV. H. J. CHAYTOR, M.A. HEADMASTER OF PLYMOUTH COLLEGE LONDON WILLIAM HEINEMANN 1909 O 1 All rights reserved P 4 I V.5' ,/ CONTENTS CHAP. PAGB I. The East i " " II. Armenia Capta, SiGNis Receptis . , 28 III. The Great Social Laws of the Year 18 b.c. 45 IV. The " LuDi S^culares " 76 V. The Egypt of the West ...... 104 VI. The Great Crisis in the European Provinces . 121 VII. The Conquest of Germania .... 142 VIII. " H^c EST Italia Diis Sacra" 166 IX. The Altar of Augustus and of Rome .... 185 X. Julia and Tiberius 213 XI. The Exile of Julia 243 XII. The Old Age of Augustus 269 XIII. The Last " Decennium " 291 XIV. Augustus and the Great Empire .... 325 Index 355 — CHAPTER I THE EAST Greece before the Roman conquest—Greece and the Romaa conquest—Greece in the second century of the repubUc—The inability of Rome to remedy the sufferings of Greece—Policy of Augustus in Greece—The theatrical crisis at Rome—The Syrian pantomimes—Pylades of Cilicia—The temple of Rome and Augustus at Pergamum—Asia Minor—The manufac- turing towns in the Greek republics of the coast—The agricultural monarchies of the highlands—The cults of Mithras and Cybele—The unity of Asia Minor—Asiatic Hellenism and Asiatic religions—The Greek republics in the Asiatic monarchy—Asia Minor after a century of Roman rule Weakness, crisis and universal disorder—The critical position of Hellenism and the Jews—Jewish expansion in the east The worship of Rome and Augustus in Asia Minor—The Greek renaissance.
    [Show full text]
  • The Population of Cisalpine Gaul in the Time of Augustus1
    The Population of Cisalpine Gaul in the time of Augustus1 In order to put the arguments of this article into a realistic perspective, I want to start by making it clear that we do not know and will never know for certain how many people lived in Cisalpine Gaul during the late Republic and early Empire.2 In theory, then, this could be the shortest article on ancient demography ever written. The reason why I have nevertheless decided to devote a short piece to this seemingly unpromising topic is quite simply that there are, in my view, many interesting things to say about the population of Cisalpine Gaul that have never been said before. It is also my contention that even though the new considerations that will be put forward in this paper do not in any way prove a low-count interpretation of Italy’s demographic history to be correct, they at least highlight some difficulties in the high count that have not received the attention they clearly deserve. My attempt to shed new light on these issues will centre on the shape of the urban network and on the size of the aggregate urban population. I shall begin by looking at the physical size of the towns of Cisalpina and by examining some of the variables that are likely to have influenced the number of town-dwellers per hectare. My next step will be to discuss briefly the problem of urbanization rates. In theory, if it were possible for us to recover both the approximate number of town-dwellers (POPurb) and the overall urbanization rate (URB.RATE) for Cisalpina, the overall population of the North could be extrapolated from the urban population, using the following formula: POPtot = (100: URB.
    [Show full text]
  • Prima Dell'abbazia Di Staffarda
    PRIMA DELL’ABBAZIA DI STAFFARDA: STORIA E ARCHEOLOGIA Roberto Polidori (con contributi di Mario Busatto e Feliciano Della Mora) Prefazione Per comprendere la storia del territorio prima della costruzione dell’dell’Abbazia di Staffarda, si è ritenuto indispensabile ricostruire, in modo molto sintetico, come si svilupparono le città e l’antica rete viaria nel cuneese, con particolare attenzione alle zone limitrofe di Staffarda. Per poter ipotizzare alcune conclusioni di seguito descritte e dopo aver eseguito le ricerche relative alla storia delle città nel Cuneese, si è ritenuto indispensabile creare un documento facilmente interpretabile che riportasse le seguenti informazioni: 1. insediamenti, reperti del Neolitico 2. luoghi sacri del Neolitico 3. necropoli dall’età del Bronzo medio all’età media del Ferro (XIV- V secolo a.C.) 4. insediamenti: liguri-celti 5. testimonianze e reperti: liguri-celti 6. templi: liguri-celti 7. insediamenti, reperti etruschi 8. municipia romani 9. oppida romane (città fortificate) 10. castra romani (accampamento o fortificazione nella quale risiedeva una legione) 11. stazioni doganali romane 12. testimonianze romane: resti di mura, reperti, ripostigli monetali, cippi ecc. 13. templi romani 14. necropoli romane 15. pievi romane 16. insediamenti, reperti longobardi 17. centri monastici e pievi longobarde 18. zona soggetta ad invasione dei Cartaginesi 19. zona soggetta ad invasione dei Franchi 20. zona soggetta ad invasione dei Saraceni 21. zona soggetta ad invasione dei Visigoti 22. zona soggetta ad invasione dei Burgundi 23. zona soggetta ad invasione dei Ungheri 24. zona soggetta ad invasione dei Goti LAGO SCOMPARSO DI STAFFARDA LINEA CONTINUA: Percorso documentato PERCORSI-STRADE LINEA TRATTEGGIATA: Percorso scarsamente documentato o ipotizzato strade protostoriche dal IV millennio a.C.
    [Show full text]
  • “Lesegno – Ceva” T. 731
    Codifica Progetto definitivo RE23731NNBAX00015 Relazione archeologica preliminare Rev. 00 Pag. 1 del 31/05/2016 di 61 Nuova Stazione Elettrica a 132 kV Lesegno Elettrodotto aereo a 132 kV semplice terna “Lesegno – Ceva” T. 731 Nuova Stazione Elettrica a 132 kV “Lesegno” da inserire sull’esistente linea a 132 kV T.730 "Rivacciaio – Mondovì" e nuovo elettrodotto aereo a 132 kV T.731 “Lesegno – Ceva” Progetto definitivo Relazione Archeologica preliminare Storia delle revisioni Rev. 00 del 31/05/2016 Prima emissione Uso Pubblico Elaborato Verificato Approvato Mechanikoi s.r.l.s. F. Pedrinazzi P. Zanni DTNO-UPRI-Team Linee DTNO-UPRI Questo documento contiene informazioni di proprietà di Terna SpA e deve essere utilizzato esclusivamente dal destinatario in relazione alle finalità per le quali è stato ricevuto. E’ vietata qualsiasi forma di riproduzione o di divulgazione senza l’esplicito consenso di Terna SpA Codifica Progetto definitivo RE23731NNBAX00015 Relazione archeologica preliminare Rev. 00 Pag. 2 del 31/05/2016 di 61 Sommario 1 Premessa ....................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Descrizione delle opere e scopo della valutazione archeologica preventiva ........................ 4 1.2 Definizione dell’ambito di studio e sintesi delle fonti utilizzate .............................................. 5 2 Valutazioni geologiche e geomorfologiche ..................................................... 7 2.1 Considerazioni finali in merito all’inquadramento geologico e geomorfologico
    [Show full text]
  • UNDISCOVERED ITALY © Elio Pallard Choir, Culture & Cuisine March 16 – 27, 2019 with Hamilton College’S G
    UNDISCOVERED ITALY © Elio Pallard Choir, Culture & Cuisine March 16 – 27, 2019 with Hamilton College’s G. Roberts Kolb, the Marjorie and Robert W. McEwen Professor of Music & Lauralyn Kolb, Lecturer in Music (Voice) © Megan Mallen © Markus Bernet Dear Hamilton Alumni, Parents, and Friends, I invite you to discover areas “off-the-beaten” path in northern Italy on this remarkable and exclusive Hamilton Global Adventure. Those of us who sing will rehearse twice and then perform three concerts and participate in two masses. The trip also features wonderful guided excursions, including walks in historic villages with medieval houses and charming alleys, viewing magnificent art and architecture, and many exceptional culinary experiences. To top it off, our travels will take place amid spectacular landscapes, with two beautiful Italian lakes (Orta and Maggiore) and backdrops such as rolling hills of vineyards and the snow-capped Italian Alps. Our group will enjoy all excursions and included meals together, but you may choose to upgrade from comfortable, 3-star hotels to more luxurious 4-star hotels if you wish. Highlights of this unique trip are many, and include: Choir: • Two rehearsal sessions at Lake Orta; • Concerts in the parish church of Stresa, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria Assunta, and the ancient monastery of Sacra di San Michele; © R. Todd Nielsen • Mass participation in the Royal Church of San Lorenzo (Turin) and the Parish Church of Pollenzo. Culture (nine excursions with art historian guides): • Hiking in a 16th-century religious “theme park” (a UNESCO World Heritage site); • Magnificent Renaissance and Baroque art (frescoes and sculptures) and architecture (cathedrals, churches, and castles); • Turin’s Holy Shroud; • Ancient Roman ruins in Turin and Pollenzo; • Guided tour of Turin’s Egyptian Museum (the world’s second most important Egyptian collection) and Turin’s sumptuous Royal Palace© R.© ToddRufus46 (another Nielsen UNESCO World Heritage site); • Milan’s Dominican convent with Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper (a UNESCO World Heritage site).
    [Show full text]
  • PIEDMONT 2016 Guided Tour Guide in Support Van |300 - 335 Km | 8 Days / 7 Nights
    PIEDMONT 2016 Guided Tour Guide in support van |300 - 335 km | 8 days / 7 nights Piedmont is a real paradise for gourmets. Prestigious white wines, delicious chocolate and a sweet landscape of hills covered by regular rows of vineyards; in the distance the majestic circle of the alps. Piedmont is elegance and style. The best example is the chef town, Turin, first capital of Italy 150 years ago, where the influence of the French style is very evident, that’s why Turin is called “little Paris”. The same surprise will happen coming to small towns like Pinerolo and Saluzzo with their medieval charme; nowadays Bra and Alba reign of enogastronomy: don’t miss the pleasure of a delicious dinner and an unforgettable table, sampling of noble wines like Barolo or Barbaresco. In short, discovering Piedmont by bike: a special experience 1 Irish Cycling Safaris | Belfield Bike Shop, UCD, Dublin 4, Ireland Tel +353 1 2600749 | Fax +353 1 7161168| [email protected] | www.cyclingsafaris.com TOUR ITINERARY Day 1 Individual arrival Turin You spend the first night in the vibrant city of Turin. The rich history and culture of Turin is evident in the breathtaking Baroque architecture, ornate palaces and churches. Day 2 Turin - Pinerolo 55 km Today we cycle on flat roads along the river Po. We ride on cycle paths or small roads to the foot of the mountains. A highlight of today’s cycle is the spectacular hunting palace at Stupinigi, a masterpiece by the architect Fillippo Juvarra and royal residence of the Savoy Family built in rococo style.
    [Show full text]
  • Verduno – Alba
    Leg 7 Verduno – Alba 69 Bar to Bar • Leg 7 Verduno – Alba 70 Leg 7 Verduno – Alba For the last leg of this long circuit throughout the Langhe region, the itinerary takes you from Verduno, where a stop at its Belvedere vista point, looking out over Roddi, is certainly worth your time, and on to Alba, the “City of a Hundred Towers”, as you ride through more Barolo vineyards, past trufe trees and the castles and towers of the Roero region in the background beyond the Tanaro river. And don’t miss a detour of just a few kilometres to Pollenzo. The itinerary comes to an end in Alba, where you can enjoy the many wonders and treasures of this town after an unforgettable ride through the Langhe. DISTANCE/PROFILE ELEVATION GAIN DIFFICULTY 15,5 km START FINISH 355 m 170 m MC Itinerary profle 355 m 240 m 170 m 0 Km 4,5 Km 15,5 Km Verduno Roddi Alba Bar to Bar • Leg 7 Verduno – Alba 71 Bar to Bar • Leg 7 Verduno – Alba 74 Verduno is a quaint, well maintained little village that features a true royal residence (now a charming hotel) in which the entire House of Savoy lived until 1909, when the estate was acquired by the Burlotto Family. It was in these wine cellars that, by order of the King, General Staglieno began the “modern-day” wine production of the Royal House’s Barolo, a dry, still wine aged in oak barrels. The Castello di Verduno Winery remains to this day in a sort of ideal embodiment of the amazing Bar to Bar tours through the Langhe from Barbaresco to Barolo (hence “Bar” to “Bar”), the two most prestigious of Italy’s red wines, given that the owner Franco Bianco is from Barbaresco while his wife, Gabriella Burlotto, is from Verduno.
    [Show full text]
  • Alba White Truffle
    th Alba International White Truffle Fair ALBA WHITE TRUFFLE www.maurorosso.com ALBA from the 8th of October to the 13th of November – 1 – Are Truffles the Real Food FOODof Love? & WINE That this has been the theme of much debating through the ages is undeniable – what is certain is that a relaxing and satisfying meal with friends can only produce positive effects on friendship and love in all their manifestations. And this, in turn, helps us to enjoy life and overcome diffi- culties when they arise. The ‘buona tavola’ – the Langa and Roero’s long tradition of culinary excellence combined with a particular ability for making the visitor feel quite at home - are what make people return time and again to this area. Our professionality, hard work and hospitality need no other introduction. The White Truffle of Alba is our passport to the world and justly represents its home town. – 2 – – 3 – TRUffLES & EVEN TS TS TRUffLES & EVEN CALENDAR CALENDAR OF OF EVENTS EVENTS Friday 23th September 5.30 pm – Meeting Room - Palazzo From 8th October to 13th November see page 10 e 11 from 6 pm - Teatro Sociale “G. Busca” Mostre e Congressi “G. Morra” Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 8 pm A Fenoglio Marathon The Italian Touring Club present Additional opening times: 31st October and 1st November Reading of the entire text of a cultural meeting on Count Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo Fenoglio’s novel ‘L’imboscata’ (The Camillo Benso di Cavour International White Truffle Market and ‘AlbaQualità’ Ambush) Food and wine specialities from Piedmont.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Hellenistic and Roman Amphitheatres, Stadiums, and Theatres the Way They Look Now
    ANCIENT HELLENISTIC AND ROMAN AMPHITHEATRES, STADIUMS, AND THEATRES THE WAY THEY LOOK NOW RAYMOND G. CHASE PETER E. RANDALL PUBLISHER PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE 2002 Contents Foreword vii Cibyra 66 Pmara 68 Introduction 1 Sidyma 69 Xanthus 70 Turkey 2 Letoon 71 Istanbul 4 Patara 73 Perinthus Heracleia 5 Ka§ (Antiphellus) 74 Apollonia 75 Alexandria Troas 7 Simena 76 Assos 8 Nisa 77 Pergamum 10 • Cyanae 78 Aigai, C^andarli, Myrina, Myra 79 and Cyme (Kyme) 14 Limyra 80 Cyzikus (From Bergama to Erdek or Bursa) . 18 Arycanda 81 Apollonia 20 Rhodiapolis 82 Iznik (Nicaea) 21 Idebessos and Corydalla 83 Prusias ad Hypsium 22 Gagae, Olympos, Phaselis 84 Amasra and Tieum (Hisaronii) 23 Termessos 85 Ankara (Ancyra) 24 Perge 87 Pessinus and Amorium 25 Sillyum (or Sillyon) 89 Aizanoi (Aezani) 26 Aspendos 91 Akmonia/Trianopolis and Selgik/Sebaste ... 27 Selge 93 Ala§ehir (Philadelphia) and Sardis 28 Side and Seleucia in Pamphylia 95 Izmir (Smyrna) 28 Laertes 96 Clazomenae and Erythrae 29 Selinus (Gazipa§a) 97 Teos 30 Anemurium 98 Notium 31 Aphrodisias and Seleucia ad Calycadnum Ephesus 32 (Silifke) 99 Priene via Panionium 34 Uzuncabur^ (Olba/Diocaesarea) and Ura . 100 Miletus and Didyma 36 Aya§ (Elaeusa/Sebaste) 101 Amyzon 38 Pompeiopolis and Tarsus 102 Alinda 40 Anazarbus 103 Alabanda 41 Castabala 105 Stratoniceia and Milas 42 Misis (Mopsuestia) 106 Euromos 44 Aigaei/Ayas (Yumurtalik) and Epiphania ... 107 Heracleia ad Latmos 45 Antioch to Malatya 108 Iasos 46 Zeugma 108 Theangela and Bodrum 47 Malatya to Konya 108 Bargylia 48 Konya to Egirdir: Fasillar
    [Show full text]
  • The Langhe. What Makes This Place So Special? the Answer Is Blowin’ in the Wind! Published on Iitaly.Org (
    The Langhe. What Makes this Place so Special? The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind! Published on iItaly.org (http://www.iitaly.org) The Langhe. What Makes this Place so Special? The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind! Letizia Airos (June 17, 2014) The founder of Eataly talks about Alba and the Langhe, a thriving region located in the heart of Piedmont, between the sea and the Alps “I was born on September 24, 1954, in Alba, the ‘capital’ of the Langhe hills. My father was from Barbaresco, my mother from Barolo,” says Oscar Farinetti [2], mulling over his homeland. The cities where his parents come from are also home to two famous namesake wines. But today we’re standing in front of Eataly [3], the megastore on 5th Avenue, and Farinetti’s words are a breath of fresh air amid the traffic of Manhattan. Fresh air, it turns out, will be the subject of much of our interview. “Alba is incredibly situated: south of Turin, in the plain of the Tanaro river, a 34-mile straight shot from the Ligurian seaside city of Savona. To the west are the beautiful hills of Roero, to the east Page 1 of 4 The Langhe. What Makes this Place so Special? The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind! Published on iItaly.org (http://www.iitaly.org) the beautiful hills of Langhe. The latter are ‘kissed’ by God because they produce slightly rounded hazelnuts considered the best in the world as well as important Italian red wines: beside Dolcetto [4] and Barbera [5], the legendary Nebbiolo grape [6], which is produced by the conjunction of the Marin (costal) winds coming from the shores of Savona and the fresh air of the maritime Alps that come down from Monviso.
    [Show full text]
  • UC Berkeley UC Berkeley Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    UC Berkeley UC Berkeley Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title State Impact in Imperial northern Italy Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3bc5t6zj Author Roncaglia, Carolynn Publication Date 2009 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California State Impact in Imperial northern Italy by Carolynn Elizabeth Roncaglia A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in charge: Professor Erich Gruen, Co-chair Professor Carlos Noreña, Co-chair Professor Dylan Sailor Fall, 2009 Abstract State Impact in Imperial northern Italy by Carolynn Elizabeth Roncaglia Doctor of Philosophy in Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology University of California, Berkeley Professor Erich Gruen, Co-chair Professor Carlos Noreña, Co-chair How did the Roman state affect areas under its control? This dissertation addresses that question by examining one area, northern Italy, which was administered by the state at its most and least intensive. In the Republican and Late Antique periods the state frequently and directly intervened in the area. During the Republic changing Roman conceptions of northern Italy led the state to intervene dramatically in ways that remade the physical and demographic landscape of the region, while in the late Roman period similarly changing attitudes led to reformulation of the region’s purpose and position within the empire. In contrast, the Roman state’s presence in northern Italy in the early Imperial period was minimal, and this study explores the reasons for and effects of that minimalist approach on northern Italy in the first and second centuries AD.
    [Show full text]
  • SWE PIEDMONT Vs TUSCANY the WINES 1. PRINCIPESSA GAVIA
    SWE PIEDMONT vs TUSCANY THE WINES 1. PRINCIPESSA GAVIA GAVI, DOCG GAVI/CORTESE DI GAVI DOCG is a white wine that must be produced with 100% Cortese grapes grown in the province of Alessandria. Still, sparkling and Riserva (aged at least until 14 October of the year following harvest) are produced. Gavi takes its name from the town around which the Cortese grape grows to perfection. By law Gavi may not be fermented or aged in wood. There is a charming legend about the origins of the name "Gavi." It is said that in the Dark Ages there was a golden-haired princess, the daughter of Clodimir, King of the Franks. Her name was Gavia. She fell in love with a young man who was a servant in her father's court. When the two approached the King to marry, Clodimir, of course, objected. Very much in love, the young couple eloped and made their way to a far part of the Kingdom in Lombardy. Finding the climate there inclement, they headed south towards Liguria and the Italian riviera. On the way there, they stopped at a small village where they found the wine to be exceptional and decided to remain there. A local innkeeper befriended them, they confided their predicament to him and, as it happens, he did not keep their secret. The king was informed and, with his knights, went to bring back the hapless lovers. The story ends happily as King Clodimir, upon seeing his daughter, forgave her and, as a gesture of love, bequeathed to the young man as part of his daughter’s dowry, the town where she was found.
    [Show full text]