Nicolas Nony

École nationale supérieure d'arts et métiers

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About

Nicolas Nony is a leading figure in the application of UAV photogrammetry to cultural heritage, with his seminal 2013 work on the Theaters area of Pompeii (44 citations) pioneering the use of drones for high-resolution archaeological survey. His research bridges aerial robotics, computer vision, and heritage science, demonstrating how lightweight UAVs can capture detailed 3D models of complex ancient structures—transforming how archaeologists document and analyze sites. Nony’s major contribution lies in proving that consumer-grade drones, combined with structure-from-motion algorithms, can achieve sub-centimeter accuracy for mapping fragile ruins, reducing both cost and fieldwork time. This work has become a foundational reference for digital archaeology, enabling rapid documentation of endangered heritage worldwide. Beyond Pompeii, his achievements include developing protocols for integrating UAV data with GIS and photogrammetric software, making aerial survey accessible to non-specialists. With growing citations across archaeology, engineering, and remote sensing, Nony remains a key innovator in democratizing 3D heritage recording—empowering researchers to capture vanishing landscapes before they are lost.