Multispectral remote sensing using drones. An innovative approach to investigating the urban landscape of Veii

The paper intends to present the application of multispectral remote sensing by drone as an innovative tool for the identification of buried remains, specifically in the area of Campetti at Veii. The use of this methodology represents a new opportunity for fast identification of a consistent number of archaeological evidence over vast extensions. The use of multispectral cameras makes it possible to record the spectral response of plants in different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. By processing the images acquired through the use of “vegetation indices”, it is possible to identify the slightest variations in the physiological conditions of the vegetation produced by buried remains and invisible to the human eye. The experimental application of this technique started at Veii in 2017, has shown how it has been possible to identify a considerable amount of crop marks, the careful reading of which has allowed us to deepen our knowledge and understanding of the development of the urban landscape in a large portion of an ancient city.