The following universities and private companies are involved in the Radio-Past Project:
Universidade de Évora (Portugal)
The University of Évora is the coordinator institution of this project. Uevora is a public institution of higher education whose origins date back to 1559. After being closed in the 18th century, the university reopened in 1979. Evora is a Unesco protected town, heir of the Roman town Ebora Liberalitas Julia, situated in central Alentejo, a major region of Portugal which extends from the Atlantic coast to the inland and the Spanish frontiers.
Researchers involved in this project are attached to its research centre CIDEHUS or Centro Interdisciplinar de Historia, Culturas e Sociedades da Universidade de Evora. Founded in 1994, this research unit joins scholars from different sectors of Humanities, that investigate from different points of view aspects connected with history, culture and heritage, mainly in Southern Europe and in the Mediterranean.
The researchers involved in this project are specialists in landscape archaeology, archaeological survey, historical aerial photography, and Roman town planning. The proposed project will be elaborated partly within the CIDEHUS’s research programme focusing on ‘Geo-archaeological research of Roman Landscapes in Alentejo’.
Universiteit Gent (Belgium)
Ghent University, abbreviated UGent, one of the major universities in the Dutch-speaking region of Europe, is situated in the Belgian Region of Flanders. During the Middle Ages, Ghent was one of the most flourishing towns in Europe, thanks to the activity of its traders in the context of the Hanseatic League. The researchers involved in this project are attached to the Department of Archaeology.
In close collaboration with the Department of Geography of the same institution, this multidisciplinary team has achieved excellent results in the fields of innovative survey techniques and spatial analysis of archaeological and environmental phenomena from the past. Especially the research unit “Mediterranean Archaeology” has long experience with the integration of high technological geographical methods in an archaeological questionnaire (e.g. the PVS project). A special emphasis of their work lies on Roman urbanisation and landscape studies.
Univerza v Ljubljani (Slovenia)
The University of Ljubljana, abbreviated to Uljubljana, possesses a rich tradition. The university was founded in 1919 on the basis of centuries of educational tradition, remaining the only Slovenian university for half a century. The University is based in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, a relatively large Central- European city with over 300.000 inhabitants. Students account for more than one-seventh of the population, giving the city a youthful and lively character. Researchers involved in the project are attached to the Faculty of Arts.
The Slovenian team at Ljubljana University is the most advanced research team in the new member countries of Central and East Europe in the fields of non-destructive survey technology and its applications. Their record of projects connected with surveying classical landscapes and complex urban sites in an international context and in multilateral collaboration is impressive. The team has availability of excellent and performing equipment for a whole range of geophysical survey techniques, such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), different magnetometer instruments, and electric resistance measuring equipment. Also different remote sensing operators (e.g. for photogrammetry) are at their disposal.
7Reasons Media Agency (Austria)
The Austrian enterprise “7Reasons”, is already more than ten years active in the production of printed, digital/online, multimedia, and film based end products in a wide variety of domains. One of their most important applications, and true specialisation during recent years, is however situated in the sciences domains, mainly in archaeological and historical disciplines where they delivered high quality programming products, design applications, 3D modelling, animations, and reconstructions. Very innovating are their digital reconstructions, produced in collaboration with teams of archaeologists and based on a set of prospection data (aerial images, geomagnetic measurements, georadar imaging, electrical resistance mapping).
This application is of specific relevance to the consortium program. Furthermore, they are especially involved in testing the applicability of new technologies for heritage presentation and in offering practical solutions to technical problems encountered in the development of specific projects. In close cooperation with archaeological site interpreters and heritage educators, the company has tested prototypes in real world situations, in order to evaluate the suitability and robustness of the methods, techniques and equipment used. In this way, experience and expertise has been gained in virtual reconstruction methods, user interfaces for exploring virtual reconstructed worlds in time and space, in the use of the Internet for heritage presentation and in on-site indoor and outdoor interpretation systems.
The enterprise has an impressive record for the development of specific hardware (interactive projection, videowalls, 3D-screens, Indoor Infoterminals, Outdoor Kiosk-systems, and Touchscreens) and software (Digital signage, Retail Media) especially suitable for museum-environments.
British School at Rome (United Kingdom)
The “BSR” is a centre for research on the archaeology, history and culture of Italy, and by extension to other Mediterranean areas of the ancient Roman world. It serves the needs of scholars from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth and is sponsored by the British Academy. It possesses one of the finest libraries on Roman archaeology in the Mediterranean and beyond. The Library’s holdings consist of c. 60 000 volumes, with 600 current periodicals taken. Specialisations include: Mediterranean archaeology, Prehistory, ancient history and texts; the history of ancient religions; ecclesiastical and medieval history; Italian topography, history of art and architectural history, and the writings of travellers in Italy. The open-shelf reference Library provides the bibliographic resources and services necessary to support the research activities of the BSR.
Archaeology forms a major part of the institutes’ activities, and over the years it has supported and undertaken many projects throughout Italy. A catalyst for research at the School was the South Etruria Survey, a ground-breaking study in the development of landscape archaeology undertaken by the then director of the school, John Ward-Perkins. Subsequent directors have since undertaken major research projects throughout Italy and the current work of the BSR continues to be at the forefront of archaeological research in Italy and beyond. Important recent survey projects connected with the study of Roman towns and their surrounding landscapes are the Tiber Valley Project and the Roman Ports Project. Both have received worldwide recognition and are known for their excellent advances and innovation in methodological approaches to ancient (urban and rural) landscapes.
The BSR, together with some academic partners, sets high standards in fieldwork and research, managing field projects in the Roman world from their conception to publication. The experience and top quality of the team’s researchers allows the integration of different non-destructive techniques, comprising topographic survey, and four methods of geophysical prospection: magnetometry, resistivity, ground penetrating radar and magnetic susceptibility. This work is backed up by a data geo-referencing and mapping service, which includes analysis and interpretation of results, and rapid production of high quality, well-researched survey reports.
Their use of integrated archaeological survey applications is of significance both in the sphere of archaeological evaluation and research, but also in relation to heritage management. Over the years they have worked in collaboration with a number of organisations to produce site and landscape surveys for archaeological purposes. This work has also included running programs for the training of staff and higher education students from different institutions in the theoretical and practical application of non-destructive methodologies.
Past2Present (Netherlands)
The Dutch enterprise “Past2Present” is part of “The Missing Link Holding”, and is located in Woerden, not far from Utrecht, Den Haag and Rotterdam. It mainly operates in the fields of archaeology and cultural history, but is also mainly concerned with landscape planning and the management of large development projects where they are considered the ‘missing link’ between researchers, government bodies, project developers and the wider public. They operate in the fields of heritage management strategies, heritage management and physical planning, political, legal and financial aspects of heritage management, research agendas and site management.
The expertise of the firm lies especially in the contact zone between archaeology and landscape planning, in evaluating the effects of archaeological investigations on today’s land use and in the difficult relationship between large scale infrastructural projects and archaeological heritage management. Their experience obtained during participations in large scale development schemes related to the preservation and study of archaeological landscape features and values in the Netherlands (e.g Betuweroute, HSL Zuid, …) has made them an interesting player in the field of Cultural Resource Management in their country. Thanks to their work in a multitude of smaller projects they have also obtained good practice in the implementation of a policy for archaeological management by smaller communities and local government. Important is also their experience in heritage marketing and advisory role for the development of tourist oriented and educational programs. The development of a protection policy for archaeological areas and a training program in archaeological project management and cultural heritage policy are other main areas of interest and experience.
Eastern Atlas (Germany)
Founded in 1998, the Berlin-based independent enterprise “eastern atlas” offers scientific and technical services in archaeogeophysical prospection. The team is not only applying geomagnetic, geoelectric and georadar measurements in order to investigate archaeological sites in Germany and abroad, but also dedicated to the enhancement of measuring techniques, to the development of devices and the design of custom software solutions that better adapt these methods of investigation to complex archaeological sites. The analysis of aerial photographs, geochemical studies and the creation of 3D models based on geophysical data are also included in their mode of operation. Regular appearance on international congresses and teaching assignments (currently on the University of Applied Sciences, Berlin) complete the wide range of activities. Especially their broad experience in the study of archaeological sites in the Mediterranean and Near East make them a qualified partner in the Radio-Past project.
Through still ongoing and already concluded projects on Roman sites like Xanten (Germany), Munigua and Turóbriga (Spain), Pompei (Italy), Sarmizegetusa (Romania) or Balsa (Algarve, Portugal), eastern atlas has proved its proficiency with focused and efficient approaches to the study of Roman heritage.
