Case Study: University of Padua achieves 3D reconstruction and conservation of Nora with VectorWorks

Using New Technologies to Discover Ancient Communities

Jacopo Bonetto, Associate Professor of Greek and Roman Archaeology at the University of Padua, leads excavations at the ancient Phoenician-Punic site of Nora in Sardinia. Working with limited budgets and a fragmentary historical record, Bonetto relies on student teams to document and interpret ruins—including a submerged town, a Roman forum and a temple—while trying to teach modern excavation and documentation methods under tight resource constraints.

To overcome these challenges he adopted Vectorworks CAD tools to produce fast, accurate 2D and 3D reconstructions, train students in architectural and artifact drawing, and plan restoration and site mapping. The team has since uncovered large portions of the Punic town and Roman forum, begun excavating and reconstructing the temple (including digitally rebuilding a colored mosaic), recovered votive silver coins, and prepared restoration and visitor-focused materials to support conservation and tourism.

University of Padua

Jacopo Bonetto

Associate Professor of Greek and Roman Archaeology