At the headquarters of the Italian Geographical Society, located in the historic Palazzetto Mattei within Villa Celimontana in Rome, a high-precision scientific documentation activity was carried out on an important Roman-era mosaic preserved in the library halls.
The library represents one of the most significant geographical collections in Europe and constitutes a setting of great historical and scientific value. Within this space lies a Roman floor mosaic, now located in the so-called “Mosaic Room,” which serves as a central and defining element of the environment.
The mosaic dates back to the first half of the 4th century AD and originally belonged to a Roman domus discovered in the Caelian Hill area during 19th-century excavations. Recovered and later relocated to Palazzetto Mattei, it has become an integral part of the heritage of the Italian Geographical Society.
From a compositional point of view, the floor features a black-and-white geometric border and an internal subdivision into four decorated panels: two depict birds on flowering branches, while the other two portray charioteers with horses, identified by the names Pascasus and Sattara.
Over time, the mosaic underwent restoration interventions that were not always consistent, making a recent conservation project necessary in order to improve its readability and preservation through cleaning, consolidation, and reintegration of missing sections.
The survey activity was carried out using two micro-drones specifically designed to operate safely in indoor environments. This technology enabled completely contactless documentation, avoiding any physical interaction with the mosaic surface.
The aerial photogrammetric survey was conducted entirely in flight, through the systematic acquisition of ultra-high-resolution images, later processed to produce a detailed metric orthophoto.
The main objective of the intervention was to obtain a high-definition orthophotograph useful for:
- scientific documentation of the conservation state
- long-term monitoring of the artifact
- support for archaeological and diagnostic studies
- enhancement and dissemination of the cultural heritage asset
The adopted approach represents an innovative and non-invasive solution, particularly suitable for delicate contexts such as museums and historic libraries.
The activity was carried out by GREAL (Geographic Research and Application Laboratory), with the participation of Dr. Roberta Rodelli and Professor Gianluca Casagrande.
The project was developed for the benefit of the Italian Geographical Society, contributing to the integration of advanced geomatics technologies with cultural heritage conservation practices.
This intervention demonstrates how the use of indoor micro-drones and aerial photogrammetric techniques currently represents one of the most effective methodologies for cultural heritage documentation, ensuring both high precision and total respect for the integrity of the artworks.
A replicable operational model that combines research, technology, and conservation, opening new perspectives for the understanding and enhancement of historical heritage.