ReSeMM Project – Development of a multimodal sensor network for structural and environmental monitoring. Spoke 6, Intervention site: Italian Archaeological School at Athens, Phaistos
The project was carried out as part of the PNRR Spoke 6 public tender, Mission 4 “Education and Research” – component 2 “from research to business” – investment line 1.3 “Partnerships extended to universities, research centers, and companies for the financing of basic research projects” – research and innovation program “Changes – Creativity and Intangible Cultural Heritage,” funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
The initiative involved, for the sites indicated in the call for proposals and in compliance with the instructions of the client and the local authorities responsible for protection, the design and supply of a multimodal sensor network and the creation of a cloud-based software platform, integrated with a geospatial database, capable of remotely managing the network, acquiring, storing, processing, and displaying the collected data in real time, and setting alarm thresholds.
The project, coordinated by the Department of Civil Engineering (DICIV) of the University of Salerno, with Prof. Luigi Petti as Scientific Director, also involved the Departments of Industrial Engineering (DIIN) and Cultural Heritage Sciences (DISPAC), together with the innovative start-up Modula S.r.l..
Objectives
Architectural and archaeological heritage is exposed to dangers and risks, not only natural and anthropogenic, but also climate change; added to this are the natural processes of degradation generated by the aging of materials and the variability of environmental conditions. With a view to the sustainable use of resources and heritage protection, the development of methodological approaches that promote minimal intervention and proactive maintenance plays a key role in the management process. The proposal aims to implement a model and an integrated multi-scale and multi-level monitoring network through the development of robust and expandable systems that guarantee constant monitoring of the state of health of assets, allowing the behaviour of structures to be characterized, including through the implementation of BIM models to document the life cycle of structures and the development of predictive models.
Storage buildings at Phaistos (Crete), under the supervision of the Archaeological School at Athens
On the southern coast of Crete, the archaeological site of Phaistos stands as one of the most significant centers of Minoan civilization. The Italian Archaeological School at Athens (SAIA), responsible for research and conservation at the site, safeguards not only the ruins but also thousands of artefacts stored within dedicated facilities. Ensuring the long-term preservation of these materials means not only caring for the objects themselves, but also monitoring the structural health of the buildings that protect them.
In recent years, advances in structural monitoring technologies have opened new possibilities for heritage protection, offering non-invasive tools capable of continuously tracking how historic structures behave over time. Within this framework, T.P.S. S.r.l. has implemented an advanced monitoring system for the storage buildings of Phaistos. The goal is clear: to understand their dynamic response, detect possible anomalies, and support preventive conservation strategies.
This project represents a modern, interdisciplinary approach to heritage preservation—bringing together engineering, digital technologies, and archaeology to transform historical buildings into structures capable of “communicating” their condition in real time.
Sensor network
At the core of the monitoring system is a network of MEMS-based accelerometers, compact yet highly sensitive devices capable of recording even the smallest vibrations affecting a structure. Vibrations are an essential diagnostic signal: changes in how a building oscillates may reveal issues such as stiffness loss, minor structural damage, or environmental influences that accumulate over time.
The project employs five DEWESoft IOLITEi-3xMEMS accelerometers, chosen for their robustness, stability, and suitability for long-term monitoring in archaeological environments. Their low energy consumption and high measurement accuracy make them ideal for continuous operation.
The sensors are installed in a linear daisy-chain configuration, with no more than 50 meters between one unit and the next. This layout ensures reliable communication and perfect synchronization across the entire monitoring line.
Plan of the storage buildings at the archaeological site of Phaistos, managed by the Italian Archaeological School at Athens
Example of archaeological finds preserved in the site of interest
Great care has been taken to ensure non-invasive installation. Depending on the materials and conservation needs of each structural element, the accelerometers are mounted either with mechanical supports or industrial-grade adhesives that do not compromise historic surfaces. Once installed, the sensors record accelerations along three axes, providing continuous insight into the dynamic behaviour of the storage buildings.
In addition to carrying data, the Ethernet connection also supplies power to the sensors through a Power Injector, simplifying the system layout and minimizing the number of components required inside the archaeological structures.
Table of sensors selected for the monitoring of the storage buildings at the archaeological site of Phaistos, indicating the measured data, required quantities, and device references
Interior of the storage buildings at the archaeological site of Phaistos, showing an electrical outlet and a cable duct useful for the sensor installation procedures
System architecture
The overall system architecture has been designed to be reliable, discreet, and compatible with the constraints of an archaeological site. At its center sits a fanless industrial mini-PC that receives and processes the accelerometric data. This device acts as the main hub, collecting information from the first sensor in the chain and transmitting it to an external IoT platform.
Communication between the sensors and the PC uses the EtherCAT industrial protocol—an extremely fast and deterministic communication standard that guarantees minimal latency and precise time synchronization, essential for accurate vibration monitoring.
A dedicated structured cabling system has been installed using existing conduits and cable ducts inside the storage buildings. This minimizes visual impact and avoids unnecessary interference with historic structures. Power is drawn from the electrical outlets already present in the facility, ensuring full integration while keeping the installation non-invasive.
The mini-PC connects to the IoT platform through a Wi-Fi modem equipped with a data SIM card. This allows researchers and technicians to access the system remotely, check real-time vibration data, download time histories, and verify the status of the network at any time. The hybrid wired–wireless architecture results in a monitoring ecosystem that is stable, resilient, and scalable.
Thanks to this infrastructure, the storage buildings at Phaistos become fully monitored environments: each vibration, each structural response, each anomaly is recorded, transmitted, and made available to experts even when they are far from the site.
Diagram of the monitoring system of the storage buildings managed by the Italian Archaeological School at Athens, showing the devices, required power supplies, and employed communication protocols