A novel spherical approach for the definition of assets, interdependencies and interconnections to investigate needs for the protection of maritime heritage sites

The THETIDA project addresses issues related to safeguarding and protection of Europes coastal and underwater cultural heritage (CH) from the effects of climate change and natural hazards. It does so in a holistic manner that includes risk management, protection and preparedness, as well as complementary strategies. The aims are to prevent damages to CH sites, identify and ward off additional threats and promote policy tools for climate neutrality and economic resilience in coastal areas. To this end, the project focuses on 7 pilot sites with a significant archaeological and historical interest from 6 different European countries (Greece, Portugal, Italy, Norway, The Netherlands and Cyprus). In this framework, the interdisciplinary team will develop, test and validate an integrated multiple heritage risk assessment and protection system; it will incorporate evidence-based monitoring frameworks, innovative tools and instruments and participatory processes (Citizens Science and Living Labs). Thus, the project implementation actions will link the social innovations with cutting-edge technologies (Information and Communications Technology and Internet of Things harmonised tools). To achieve this, an in-depth analysis of the CH and the interconnected non-CH assets of the selected pilot sites was developed in a structural, environmental and user level. The poster outlines the classification process, taking into consideration the uniqueness of each site. That is the state of preservation of the archaeological assets, the surrounding environmental and weather conditions, as well as the marine organisms and other anthropogenic factors affecting the sites. Census data that will map permanent residents and seasonal visitors so to identify the inter-/intra-core interactions of local operators, is also gathered. Mapping and classifying these agents can assist significantly to the assessment of each site and to the selection of the necessary monitoring tools. It can also provide the necessary data for building a model of the socioeconomic fabric of the CH core to develop a sustainable way for the sites protection.AKNOWLEDGMENTSThis research has been funded by the European Unions Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 101095253, THETIDA project (Technologies and methods for improved resilience and sustainable preservation of underwater and coastal cultural heritage to cope with climate change, natural hazards and environmental pollution).CMMI was established as a Center of Excellence in Marine and Maritime Research, Technology Development Innovation (RTDI) and has received funding from theEuropean Unions Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 857586 and matching funding from the Government of the Republic ofCyprus.