A Semi-Automatic-Based Approach to the Extraction of Underwater Archaeological Features from Ultra-High-Resolution Bathymetric Data: The Case of the Submerged Baia Archaeological Park

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article is interesting and the research field is relevant. I suggest increasing the part of pros and contras, advantages and limits, etc, and reducing the definitions and simple equations (1-5). The use of mathematical description does not clear the worth of the application and the soundness of the research.  

Author Response

We thank the reviewer for the suggestions

1. “[…] and reducing the definitions and simple equations (1-5) […]”

We have removed the formulas from 1-5 while leaving the others as they serve to explain the subsequent tables. The 1-5, on the other hand, were simply taken from other texts and so we refer to the bibliography for those;

2. “I suggest increasing the part of pros and contras, advantages and limits, etc, […]”

We added a pro and con section in the conclusions (lines 440 - 468 ca.)

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is a well written report

The main question addressed by the research is the use of underwater Lidar, an adaptation of a land-based technique.

The article concisely sets out the case for using Lidar technology underwater and makes a strong case, based on one example, for its employment in these circumstances.

The use of Lidar in underwater conditions – as this example from Baia shows – could have major implications for maritime archaeology.  Much larger areas of the sea-bed might be explored more effectively, and with far higher resolution than has previously been possible.

The paper suggests that Lidar might be a game-changer for relatively economic and highly detailed underwater surveys.  The case is well made.

The references are appropriate, but mention might be made of the work of Sebastiano Tusa.  I wonder if the use would help in the creation of underwater parks: see Tusa, S. 2005.  (ed.) Il mare delle Egadi: storia, itinerari e parchi archeologici subacquei.  Palermo: Regione Siciliana, Assessorato dei beni culturali e ambientali e della pubblica istruzione, Dipartimento dei beni culturali e ambientali e dell’educazione permanente.

 

Author Response

We thank the reviewer for the suggestions

1. “The references are appropriate, but mention might be made of the work of Sebastiano Tusa.  I wonder if the use would help in the creation of underwater parks: see Tusa, S. 2005.  (ed.) Il mare delle Egadi: storia, itinerari e parchi archeologici subacquei.  Palermo: Regione Siciliana, Assessorato dei beni culturali e ambientali e della pubblica istruzione, Dipartimento dei beni culturali e ambientali e dell’educazione permanente”

We have included the suggested citation in the introduction of the text (citation #16).

Dr. Tusa, who was one of the authors' professors of archaeology during his studies and who has done so much for underwater archaeological heritage, is also cited in footnote #13 "Bruno, F.; Barbieri, L.; Muzzupappa, M.; Tusa, S.; Fresina, A.; Oliveri, F.; Lagudi, A.; Cozza, A.; Peluso, R. Enhancing Learning and Access to Underwater Cultural Heritage through Digital Technologies: The Case Study of the "Cala Minnola" Shipwreck Site. Digit. Appl. Archaeol. Cult. Herit. 2019, 13, e00103, doi:10.1016/j.daach.2019.e00103."

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Excellent paper and workflow. High relevance and outstanding examples of applications. I'm excited to show it in my class.

Author Response

Thank you!

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The new release of the paper increased the readability and the paragraph of the results discussion is now very interesting for a wide sector of scientists and scholars.