FEDERICA VACATELLO

1. Scientific profile and research interests
Born in Caserta (CE) in 1991. Assistant Professor (RTT-Tenure Track) in Christian and Medieval Archaeology (SSD ARCH-01/E) at the Department of Antiquity Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, since October 1st, 2024. Former postdoctoral fellow (2022–2024) in the same department and disciplinary sector.
She obtained her PhD in “Archaeology and Post-Classical Antiquity” at Sapienza University of Rome, with a dissertation focused on territorial dynamics along the Lazio coastal strip between Civitavecchia and Tarquinia (6th–15th century), using an interdisciplinary approach combining archaeological, landscape, and historical data.
She held a postdoctoral research position at Lund University (Sweden), funded by the C.M. Lerici Foundation, focusing on 3D GIS modeling applied to the archaeological stratigraphy of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Her research interests include: medieval settlement topography; Christian archaeology and architectural archaeology; historical landscape archaeology; stratigraphic analysis of built structures; and digital methods for archaeological documentation and analysis (3D modeling, photogrammetry, LiDAR, GIS).
Specifically, her work focuses on:
-the reconstruction of medieval settlement patterns and territorial organization;
-the stratigraphic reading of architectural elevations and construction phases;
-the integration of digital technologies for field documentation (photogrammetry, LiDAR, remote sensing);
-the development of custom tools for indoor and remote archaeological recording (two patented systems).

2. Positions
from 01/10/2024: Assistant Professor (RTT-Tenure Track), SSD ARCH-01/E, Sapienza University of Rome
2022–2024: Postdoctoral Fellow, Sapienza University of Rome (AgiaPolis Project)
2022 (6 month): Postdoctoral Researcher, Lund University, Sweden
2019: Teaching Assistant in Medieval Archaeology, Sapienza University of Rome

3. Education
2022: PhD in “Archaeology and Post-Classical Antiquity”, Sapienza University of Rome
2019: Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeological Heritage (Medieval curriculum), Sapienza University of Rome
2014: Advanced training course “Instrumentum Domesticum”, Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology
2014: Master’s Degree in Archaeology (Medieval curriculum), Sapienza University of Rome, with honors

4. Grants and funding
2025 - ongoing: “Aid for the restoration and enhancement of two unique sites in the universal cultural landscape: the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Museum of the Holy Land", AICS (Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo) Program.
2023–2024: AgiaPolis Project, Grandi Scavi Program, Sapienza University of Rome
2023: Sapienza Grant – Type II “ArcheoSystem”
2022: Sapienza Grant – Type II “Telerilevare l’invisibile”
2018: National Geographic Society Early Career Grant – “UAVIMALS (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Integrated with Micro Airborne Laser Scanner)”
2018: Sapienza Grant – Type I “Technologies for Archaeological Topography”

5. Employment History (post-doc only)
2022–2024: Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of Antiquity Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome
2022: Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Lund University
2020–2021: Consultant for the Umbria Heritage Office – GIS integration for the National Archaeological Geoportal (GNA)
2020–2022: External collaborator for SNAM Rete e Gas – preventive archaeology and excavation supervision
2015–2019: Professional field archaeologist at Si.Ra. Archeologia S.R.L.S.