Research: Archaeology and LiDAR: Study and application of remote sensing models for a census of protohistoric human settlements. Knowledge, enhancement and communication of widespread and invisible archaeological heritage.
Andrea Conte is a PhD candidate in Prehistoric and Protohistoric Archaeology at Sapienza University of Rome, where he completed both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees with honours. His research has developed around a central question: what can LiDAR tell us about the mountain landscapes of Central Italy that traditional survey methods cannot see? His doctoral research — carried out under the supervision of Prof. Andrea Cardarelli and Prof. Giulia Recchia — addresses the occupation of upland areas between the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age, in the phase preceding the major processes of urbanisation. The three study areas selected — the northern Umbrian-Marchean Apennines, the Tolfa, Cimini and Vicani hills, and the Alban Hills — represent geographically and culturally distinct contexts, yet share a common feature: the presence of hilltop settlements that are often invisible or poorly documented in the existing record. The methodological core of the project lies in the integration of remote sensing technologies and quantitative spatial analysis. On the LiDAR processing side, optimised workflows have been developed for forested mountain environments — among the most challenging for ground filtering — working with data acquired both from drone-mounted sensors (CHC AlphaAir 10 and DJI Zenmuse L1) and from national aerial survey coverage, and applying advanced visualisation techniques for the recognition of artificial structures. On the analytical side, tools such as Kernel Density Estimation, Point Pattern Analysis and morphometric analysis are implemented in R and Python, alongside the development of an original methodology — the Composite Dominance Index — designed to rigorously quantify topographic territorial control, moving beyond traditional altimetric definitions. The full dataset is managed through a relational database in PostgreSQL, which aggregates the Bronze Age sites distributed across the study areas. Alongside his analytical work, Andrea has extensive fieldwork experience: since 2014 he has taken part in excavation campaigns in Italy and abroad, with direct responsibilities in photography, data recording and topographic survey. Fieldwork contexts range across peninsular and insular Italy — Arcevia, Cannatello, Vulci, Frattesina di Fratta Polesine, Amendolara, Gazzo Veronese — to international missions at Misis in Turkey and Crete with the CNR. He has also personally conducted drone LiDAR surveys at key sites including Monte Croce Guardia, Monte Tuscolo and other summits in the Alban Hills and the Apennines. His research was first presented at the 58th Scientific Meeting of the Italian Institute of Prehistory and Protohistory, dedicated to Umbria, and has since reached a consolidated international dimension: results have been presented at CAA 2025 in Athens, EAA 2025 in Belgrade, IMC 2025 in Innsbruck, and LAC 2026 in Bamberg.