The Submerged Necropolis of Torre Chianca

The documentation of the submerged necropolis was carried out following the widely recognized principles of integrated survey methodologies, with the aim of ensuring both geometric accuracy and archaeological reliability in a shallow underwater environment.
In 2025, during the main archaeological excavation, the site was surveyed through underwater photogrammetry using the CRAB system (Calibrated Rig for Aquatic Bicamera photogrammetry), specifically developed for controlled and metrically consistent image acquisition in underwater scenarios. The dual-camera configuration, combined with prior geometric calibration, enabled the generation of high-resolution and accurate three-dimensional models of the visible funerary structures.
Photogrammetric data have been processed to document the spatial organization of the necropolis, including sarcophagi, tombs, and associated architectural elements, providing a detailed representation of their geometry and state of preservation.
The three-dimensional model has been georeferenced through the integration of GNSS control points, measured in the survey area and linked to the underwater dataset. This ensured the correct positioning of the model within a global reference system, enabling its integration with archaeological, coastal, and geomorphological data and supporting future monitoring and comparative analyses. Data are provided in the WGS 84 / UTM zone 33N (EPSG:32633) coordinate system.