DIH InnovaMare showcases innovative underwater heritage protection at Researchers’ Night in Lecce
25/09/2025
On September 26, in the framework of the European Researchers’ Night 2025, DIH InnovaMare will be in the spotlight with the presentation of its pilot action dedicated to the protection of underwater cultural heritage.
The initiative will be featured at the stand of the ArcheoSubUniSalento team, hosted at the former Olivetani Monastery in Lecce, where researchers will illustrate the activity carried out in the Marine Protected Area of Porto Cesareo (Lecce) through a dedicated poster.
The pilot action, focused on underwater archaeology, brings together ARTI, the University of Salento – Department of Cultural Heritage, the company Wireless and More (also a DIH InnovaMare partner), and a group of Russian researchers. It represents one of the three pilot initiatives foreseen by the project.
At the submerged site of Torre Chianca, where Roman tombs were discovered at a depth of about two meters due to sea-level rise and coastal landscape changes, DIH InnovaMare has deployed an advanced monitoring and surveillance system.
At its core is a solar-powered smart buoy, equipped with underwater cameras and environmental sensors capable of measuring, in real time, water temperature, salinity, electrical conductivity, and pH. The buoy streams live video via 4G/5G to a ground station based in Torre Chianca, enabling both environmental monitoring and security checks to detect intrusions or unauthorized activities.
The data collected will provide a valuable resource not only for the protection of archaeological sites but also for scientific research, sustainable management, and the development of innovative marine solutions.
Real-time environmental measurements will offer crucial insights into ecological dynamics that affect the conservation of submerged artifacts, such as biological erosion, corrosion, or marine growth. Meanwhile, continuous video transmission and access detection will strengthen protection against damage, theft, or vandalism.
In addition, the data will support cultural operators, researchers, and site managers in designing conservation strategies, promoting responsible tourism, and disseminating scientific knowledge, with a positive impact on the economy and environmental awareness.
By piloting replicable, modular solutions for marine heritage protection, DIH InnovaMare confirms its role as a driver of cross-border cooperation and innovation in the blue economy.