We have used multi-scale remote sensing to investigate a little known archaeological site in northern Istria
(north-eastern Italy). Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) and archaeological field surveys have allowed us to identify
the position and extension of a large Protohistoric hillfort. Its highest and best-preserved sector, corresponding to
a modest elevation at the eastern margin of the settlement, has been further investigated through thermal imaging,
high-resolution ALS, drone Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry and 3D Ground Penetrating
Radar (GPR), leading to a detailed identification of unexpected buried features. An excavation campaign conducted
in 2022 has confirmed the remote and ground-based sensing results. This excavation has led to the
discovery of a Bronze Age fortification, partially reused and modified with the construction of 2 or 3 square
towers during the post-Roman period. Our results demonstrate that the combined analysis of multi-scale remote
and ground-based sensing is crucial to planning archaeological exploration in the field. Digital methods provide
high-resolution topography and detect buried features that assist in monitoring and managing cultural heritage.
