The Applications of Photogrammetry and 3-D Visualisation During Archaeological Fieldwork (original) (raw)
Related papers
Photogrammetry in the Field: Documenting, Recording, and Presenting Archaeology.
The development of three-dimensional documentation technologies such as LiDAR and Structure from Motion (essentially digital photogrammetry) has led to a recording revolution, as these methods are increasingly applied to field archaeology. 3D methods have the potential to become an integral part of the archaeological toolkit, as they have the capability to produce spatially-referenced outputs, such as orthophotos and digital elevation models (DEMs), with greater efficiency than traditional methods. The combination of Structure from Motion and low-altitude aerial photography can facilitate the production of these GIS outputs, which can then be used for digitization or as basemaps. These methods allow for accurate and precise recording with a relative minimum of field time. As the existing body of 3D data increases in size, museums have the unique opportunity to be able to take advantage of these datasets to update their exhibits and display archaeological context and the process of excavation through visualizations of 3D models. The spread of 3D documentation and recording in archaeology may provide a unique opportunity for collaboration between these two professions, and allow for archaeology to improve its public outreach. The methodology presented here is based on field research in Jordan
The Digital Revolution to Come: Photogrammetry in Archaeological Practice
American Antiquity, 2020
The three-dimensional (3D) revolution promised to transform archaeological practice. Of the technologies that contribute to the proliferation of 3D data, photogrammetry facilitates the rapid and inexpensive digitization of complex subjects in both field and lab settings. It finds additional use as a tool for public outreach, where it engages audiences ranging from source communities to artifact collectors. But what has photogrammetry's function been in advancing archaeological analysis? Drawing on our previous work, we review recent applications to understand the role of photogrammetry for contemporary archaeologists. Although photogrammetry is widely used as a visual aid, its analytical potential remains underdeveloped. Considering various scales of inquiry-graduating from objects to landscapes-we address how the technology fits within and expands existing documentation and data visualization routines, while evaluating the opportunity it presents for addressing archaeological questions and problems in innovative ways. We advance an agenda advocating that archaeologists move from proof-of-concept papers toward greater integration of photogrammetry with research.
3D documentation in archaeological fieldwork: A case study from the site of Metsamor
Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean, 2017
Three-dimensional recording techniques, although growing rapidly in efficiency and applicability for archaeologists, have still not been turned to full account, mainly because they require for the most part expensive equipment and know-how. In this respect, photogrammetry is unique, being relatively cheap and easy to use. The joint Armenian–Polish archaeological project in Metsamor drew on the possibilities of this technology, which is relatively new to archaeological proceedings, in the daily recording system used at the site. The following article discusses the step-by-step application of photogrammetry in field documentation and its positive impact on archaeological work, Metsamor being taken as a case in point.
From 2D to 3D: a photogrammetric revolution in archaeology?
2012
This thesis investigates the possibilities of modern digital photogrammetry as a methodologyfor topographical field documentation in archaeology. The methodology is compared to whathas become the main tool for topographical documentation in Norwegian rescue archaeology,the total station. Using self-developed methods for evaluating the data I have been able todetermine the quality of each methodology in terms of resolution and time spent recording.This evaluation shows that digital photogrammetry is by far the better choice for recordingtopographical data at an archaeological excavation. I have also shown some possibleapplications for this kind of data in both visualizing and analyzing the data.
2023
Over a six-month period from late January to early August 2021 the Historic Environment Department of the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi carried out archaeological monitoring along a 11.5km stretch of a project to renew the existing border fence between the United Arab Emirates and Oman within the oasis city of Al Ain. The scope and sequence of the construction project determined the excavation and recording methodology employed. The trench was roughly straight-sided, 3.5m wide by 3-4m deep and entailed machine excavation of more than a million cubic meters. Documentation of this trench, which proceeded at an average distance of 80m a day, has informed our understanding of the landscape, identified locations for future archaeological work and assisted our ongoing efforts to manage and protect the historic environment. The project produced new data on the development of the historic oasis landscape of Al Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage property. Some of the most significant features revealed include a monumental stone tomb from the Late Bronze Age (2000-1300 BCE), an extensive Iron Age (1200-300 BCE) cemetery, high-status tombs of Late Pre-Islamic date (300 BCE-300 CE) and more than 50 ancient aflāj or underground water channels of various dates and techniques of construction, along with extensive evidence for distinct phases of Iron Age agriculture. Photogrammetry recording sessions numbered nearly three hundred in total, together creating a series of consecutive overlapping 3D models from which ortho-rectified images in plan and section have been produced for each of the zones along the trench route. This paper discusses the recording practice and workframe as it evolved over the course of the project, and the challenges found during the data acquisition phase in terms of the construction environment, lighting, geometry, tools, time and team size. It presents the system used to manage the digital data archive needed to keep track of 288 recorded photogrammetry sessions, along with the related ground control points survey. The paper discusses the challenges and available solutions for rapid processing and delivery of geo-referenced 3D models and ortho-rectified images generated throughout the project. It concludes with some general remarks on the peculiarly linear challenge of presenting the results of an archaeological excavation 11.5km long and 3.5m wide in both digital and hardcopy formats.
In the last few years, digital photogrammetry became a major tool in archaeology. Specialists in this area recognize the advantage of fast and accurate mapping. Moreover they use photogrammetric techniques in order to record and document the findings of an archaeological site or the whole excavation. Mainly in prehistoric sites, there are several different temporal levels of ruins and very often the site has been constructed upon other ancient or prehistoric cities (different levels). It is very important for the archaeological research to record, map and monitor all the different levels of an excavation accurately. Alongside, time is a valuable factor for the archaeologists who can not rely upon the time consuming mapping of the excavation with the traditional way. Digital photogrammetry gives to the archaeological research all the powerful tools for an accurate mapping and recording of the archaeological sites. The specific interdisciplinary experimental research took place in an archaeological site of an ancient city of Eleftherna in Crete, Greece. Particularly, the excavation holes have been photographed and processed at three different stages (days) of the excavation progress. DTM and orthophotos for each hole have been created in all different stages. Additionally, digital images have been acquired for small artifacts that were found during the excavation process and their 3D models have been created.
2019
Wiśniewski M., Zeman-Wiśniewska K. 2019. Photogrammetric documentation of archaeological artefacts: The current state of the art and future prospects. Raport 14, 167-176 Photogrammetry has been a part of the curriculum of archaeologists since the early days of photography. This method of obtaining reliable information from non-contact imaging for the purpose of recording, measuring, analyzing and representation of archaeological artefacts is, due to recent advances in imaging techniques and computer technology, going through a renaissance. The history of the method in general terms is discussed in this paper. The authors present new perspectives on current areas of research, including workflows, the use of different hardware and software, and "guerrilla photogrammetry". Furthermore, the authors propose future directions for the development of the field, like using Smartphones, immersive images, truly virtual museums, and public engagement.
JASc, 2019
In the last decade, archaeological fieldwork has seen the increasing use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and photogrammetrical techniques as tools for mapping archaeological traces in two and three dimensions. Drones allow for great control over the collection of imagery and in combination with photogrammetry put airborne 3D data capture at the disposal of archaeologists, whether they are dealing with objects, excavations and monuments, or complete landscapes. The success of applying any new tool must however be judged in the end by a careful assessment of its tangible improvements of the primary data collection process considering expended project resources. In this context, it is important to point out that the added value of producing, often still laborious, 3D models for the primary process of data collection in field archaeology is not yet completely self-evident. Although 3D recording may be a useful additional layer of documentation for those who can afford it, the question remains to what degree the time, equipment and personnel investment actually improves our capabilities of doing archaeology. In this paper, I propose a new, well-defined, transparent and standardized mapping approach based on the combination of a budget UAV and straightforward photogrammetrical techniques, fully embedded in the workflow of knowledge production in archaeological excavation. I will reflect on the future potential of this approach, as well as engage with the ongoing discussion about developments in the processes of documentation and interpretation.
Proceedings of the …, 2007
The paper presents an interdisciplinary project which is the first step towards a 3D Geographical Information System (GIS) dedicated to Cultural Heritage with a specific focus application on the Castle of Shawbak, also known as the "Crac de Montral" in Jordan. The project continues to grow thanks to a synergy between a set of laboratories: The LSIS laboratory, France in charge of the photogrammetric survey phase connected with the knowledge based approach; ITABC, CNR lab in Roma, Italy in charge of the topometric survey, with DGPS and aerial photography with gas balloon, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Kyoto, Japan for the 3D view point seek connected to the database, the image processing aspect managed by Stratos documentation, SimVis from The Department of Computer Science, University of Hull, UK, for the virtual reality aspect and of course the Dipartimento di Studi storici e Geografici from the University of Florence, Italy, in charge of the archaeological part. Our project focuses on a building scale encompassing its atomic elements such as ashlars blocks, cement, stratigraphic units and architectonic elements. At this scale we need a full 3D interface in order to manage accurate measurements, a huge quantity of observations and a mainly heterogeneous archaeological documentation. This project described in this paper is work in progress. After four photogrammetric campaigns in Jordan the first results are available on the project web site: http://www.shawbak.net