Integration between high resolution satellite images, GPS and Tablet PC with a new software for archaeological survey: the Ulixes system

This work presents the results of an experimental system developed to help the archaeological survey, by navigation on cartographies (vectors and raster), vertical aerial photos and high resolution satellite images, visualized on a Tablet PC, which is connected with a GPS receiver. This system, called Ulixes, was developed in a collaboration between Institute for Archaeological and Monumental Heritage of the Italian National Research Council (CNR-IBAM), the SIRTER company and the Chair of Archaeological Aerial-Topography of University of Salento; it was tested in 2006 and in 2007, during archaeological surveys. Ulixes can support any georeferenced cartography, and is able to store a simplified survey schedule. The library of this schedule is created by user before survey, and are upgradeable directly in the field work. This paper contains a brief explanation of philosophy that have guided us during the work. The very important goal of this application is that it is created by archaeologist, and was born for archaeological purpose.