MODERN TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

Over the past decades digital and non-invasive technologies have become an integral part of archaeological heritage research and preservation. These tools ensure high-precision recording, enable repeated and comparative analysis, and support long-term data preservation — aspects that are particularly important when investigations are carried out under limited time and resource conditions. Such technologies provide the foundation for evidence-based decisions concerning conservation, restoration, museum presentation, and the integration of archaeological heritage into contemporary urban environments.

The purpose of this article is to systematize the stages of preserving architectural and archaeological objects, classify technologies used for detection, documentation, diagnostics, monitoring and interpretation, and demonstrate the application of digital methods — GPS-based mapping, LiDAR scanning and photogrammetry — through the case of rescue archaeological investigations conducted on the territory of the former Potocki Palace in Ivano-Frankivsk. 

The research outlines six sequential stages of archaeological heritage preservation and the technologies applicable to each. Non-invasive archaeological survey includes the use of geophysical methods to identify subsurface structures without disturbing the cultural layer. Documentation is carried out through digital recording techniques such as photogrammetry and LiDAR to produce accurate spatial data. Diagnostics and monitoring employ non-destructive testing tools to assess technical conditions. The conservation stage involves selecting appropriate interventions based on collected information. Interpretation and presentation facilitate the communication of the site to professional audiences and the public. The final stage — the creation and updating of digital databases — ensures long-term accessibility of research materials and supports future decision-making and management practices.