Eye2Map, a startup incubated at UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, was recently highlighted by National Geographic Portugal for its innovative work at Citânia de Sanfins, where the company was responsible for applying remote sensing technology to help archaeologists reveal hidden structures.

Born at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP), Eye2Map provides image processing and geographic information services with applications ranging from agriculture and coastal monitoring to the digitisation and modelling of historical and architectural heritage. The data can be acquired through sensors placed on board vehicles, mostly unmanned aerial vehicles.

Although much of the Citânia de Sanfins has already been excavated and is accessible to the public, many of its structures remain buried or covered by vegetation. This is where LiDAR comes in – a technology based on laser scanning sensors, capable of mapping the terrain with millimetre precision, even under vegetation cover. Eye2Map conducted a high-resolution aerial survey using drones equipped with LiDAR sensors, revealing ancient lines of walls that were part of the city’s defensive system.

The data collected was used to generate detailed 3D models of archaeological structures, such as baths and family centres, through aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry. In addition, the startup was able to create orthobases and orthophotos – high-precision maps that combine images captured by drones with LiDAR data – as well as 360º virtual tours that allow the public to digitally explore the site from different perspectives.

Eye2Map’s work in Sanfins was carried out in collaboration with FCUP, where undergraduate and master’s students in Geospatial Engineering actively participated in data acquisition and processing. The results were also discussed with archaeologists and the Citânia de Sanfins Museum.

The piece, entitled “The Magic of Sanfins”, is available in the July Portuguese edition of National Geographic History magazine and can also be consulted online via the official website.