Photogrammetry as a tool for chronological dating of fired bricks structures in Genoa area

The aim of this paper is to explore the applications of photogrammetry in the field of archaeology of architecture. Specifically, to test possible advantages in adopting this tool for undertaking brick measurements for chronological dating of fired bricks historic structures. Mensiochronology analysis is a direct and non-destructive method providing an absolute dating of stratigraphic units. It is based on direct inspection and survey of bricks. Depending on the accessibility of the surface being studied, mensiochronology is suitable for vertical structures of limited height or relies on the availability of scaffolding and lifting equipment. There are several advantages in applying photogrammetry to brick measurement, among them: the possibility to undertake measurements of every kind of surface; the reduction of on-site survey time; the opportunity to repeat measurements off-site; the possibility to increase the number of measured elements in subsequent phases and by different operators. To explore the application of photogrammetry for mensiochronology three case studies are analyzed, testing the effectiveness of this tool on buildings displaying diverse features (e.g. handmade and industrial bricks) and dating back to different periods.