Volumetric study of the Roman Quarries of Rodadero de los Lobos - Piquín (Córdoba mountain range) using LiDAR UAV

Abstract

[EN] This article focuses on the analysis of the stone extraction process at the Rodadero de los Lobos quarries (Piquín Farmhouse-Córdoba) using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data. A LiDAR system was mounted on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to survey these quarries, collecting previously unpublished data from the terrain s surface. The dense vegetation and steep topography of the area had made it difficult to conduct traditional surface surveys until now. The primary objective of this study is to assess the extent of the exploitation of these natural resources, which have been in use since ancient times. The new data reveals that Piquín Farmhouse is the largest stone supply source in the Córdoba highlands. Research on ancient quarry exploitation in the highlands of Córdoba has been minimal due to the challenging geography of the region. This contrasts sharply with provinces such as Seville, Málaga, and Huelva, where extensive studies have been conducted due to better accessibility. The lack of prior research in Córdoba highlights the significance of this study, especially considering the scarcity of similar archaeological investigations in the region. The findings of this work contribute to the broader understanding of ancient quarrying practices in the Iberian Peninsula. This study builds on previous research concerning the stone material used in the ancient city of Corduba and its surrounding administrative region, conventus cordobensis, as well as studies on Roman quarries in the province of Baetica. The quarry fronts identified through the LiDAR surveys are relatively small, which aligns with the size of ancient quarries Roman quarries, in general, were not large-scale operations. However, some of these quarry fronts may have been expanded and altered during the medieval period, erasing the Roman features and potentially distorting the original site of stone extraction for Córdoba s famed building materials. Aerial LiDAR technology offers a high point density per square meter, which, coupled with its multi-return feature and semi-automatic classification of the point cloud, proved invaluable in addressing the challenges posed by the rugged terrain. The high-density data, along with the efficiency and speed of the acquisition and processing, provided detailed and accurate information. These data were processed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), enabling the extraction of relevant information while filtering out unnecessary data. This process allowed the generation of both basic and derived geospatial products, providing a comprehensive visual representation of the study area. By analysing the data, researchers were able to store, visualise, and analyse large geographical areas, generating valuable insights and reducing costs and time compared to traditional ground surveys. Through these LiDAR surveys, five areas showing archaeological anomalies were identified, suggesting the presence of quarry fronts. These quarry fronts are lo

[ES] Highlights:

La tecnología UAV-LiDAR ha permitido la prospección de restosarqueológicos en zonas serranas abruptas,así como la planificación deprospecciones futuras. La prospección teledetectiva ha añadido datos cuantitativos querefuerzan la importancia de las canteras del Rodadero de los Lobos enel abastecimiento de material pétreo. Se han podido así investigar, por vez primera, las técnicas deextracción minera, volumen y cauces de salida del material en laserranía de Córdoba gracias a la teledetección

Resumen: Este artículo se centra en el análisis de los diferentes frentes de extracción de las canteras del material lapídeo conocidas con el nombre de Rodadero de los Lobos, ubicadas en la propiedad actual llamada cortijo Piquín (Córdoba, España). La técnica utilizada ha sido el sistema Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) desde Vehículo Aéreo No Tripulado (UAV). La prospección mediante el sensor LiDAR ha permitido la captura de datos de la superficie del terreno, hasta este momento inéditos, debido a lo escarpado del mismo y la frondosidad de la vegetación, que dificultan la prospección superficial. Los resultados se han estudiado en entornos digitales y se han detectado cinco zonas que presentan anomalías, y en las que es posible suponer la presencia de otros tantos frentes de cantera, así como la extensión de éstos en el terreno. El análisis de los datos nos ha permitido cuantificar de forma aproximada el volumen de materiales extraídos. La información obtenida ha facilitado conocer y precisar mejor la envergadura de la explotación de estos recursos naturales usados desde la antigüedad y demostrar que, efectivamente, estamos ante uno de los mayores recursos de abastecimiento pétreo de la Sierra de Córdoba. No obstante, y a pesar de la importancia que tuvo la explotación y el uso de las rocas ornamentales del sector de Ossa-Morena, hasta el momento había sido muy irrisoria la investigación sobre la explotación de canteras en época antigua en la Sierra de Córdoba, debido, fundamentalmente, a la inaccesibilidad orográfica. Por tanto, si se compara con Sevilla, Málaga y Huelva, provincias con amplios estudios por no existir este problema de accesibilidad, este trabajo cobra una gran importancia.