First-time Digital Documentation and Mapping of the Late Antique Hypogeal Site of Binġemma (Malta)
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Abstract
This study provides the first systematic digital documentation and analysis of the Binġemma Necropolis, a significant yet previously under-documented archaeological site in Malta. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach that combines traditional archaeological fieldwork with advanced remote sensing technologies - including drone-based airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), digital photogrammetry, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - this research clarifies critical aspects of the site's chronology, cultural identity, and functional dynamics. Spatial analyses reveal distinct tomb clustering patterns, typological variations, and deliberate architectural planning indicative of socio-cultural practices. The GIS and remote sensing techniques facilitate the visualization of structural reuse and modifications across historical periods, from Late Antiquity to the early Medieval era. The data highlights both the potential and limitations of airborne LiDAR applied to mapping archaeological sites in the Mediterranean region, advocating complementary terrestrial laser scanning and structured-light 3D documentation methods in future studies.
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