Underwater robot protects Europe's heritage

Underwater archaeology employing research vessels and their trained crew can cost up to EUR 50 000 a day. However, this figure is beyond the scope of many archaeology research institutes. Therefore, reducing the cost of archaeological operations is an important factor in the study and conservation of the part of Europe's cultural heritage that lies beneath the waves.

This challenge is being addressed by the 'Archaeological robot systems for the world's seas' (ARROWS) project. The aim is to provide archaeologists with technical tools for affordable campaigns by adapting existing technologies originally developed for the military and the oil and gas industry. The consortium comprises experts in the fields of underwater archaeology, underwater engineering, robotics, and image processing and recognition from academia and industry.

Project partners are currently adapting and developing low-cost AUV technologies that will significantly reduce the cost of underwater operations. Furthermore, these vehicles will be capable of carrying out all the activities required for an archaeological campaign, including mapping, diagnosis and excavation tasks.

ARROWS is identifying archaeologists' requirements and problems for all phases of the campaign, while supplying technical solutions. It is also providing training that will enable archaeologists to use the new equipment and techniques. The requirements are being defined and the technical solutions tested in two historically significant but environmentally different demonstration sites: the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

The underwater vehicles will be capable of conducting fast, low-cost surveys of large areas and producing high-quality maps from better reconstruction methods. The AUVs will also be able to penetrate shipwrecks and map their interiors, as well as excavate fragile objects. In addition, they will provide data for the virtual exploration of archaeological sites.