SOME PROBLEMS IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION 3D MODELLING

Abstract

Photogrametry has been used in archaeology for the recording of complex structures. Therefore, the use of those techniques is more frequent in medieval and classic archaeologies. In those cases the presence of buildings and architectonics makes profitable going beyond the traditional paper and pencil approach. For prehistoric sites, traditional hand drawing is still the most profitable approach. Elements and structures to be drawn are geometrically quite simple, and the problems are more on the complexity of stratigraphic and sedimentary aspects, than in buildings, walls or floors. In this paper, we explain how to use digital photography in prehistoric excavations, how to modify those pictures to adequately represent the archaeological record, and how to build geometric models from photographs. Our final goal is to build a geometric and dynamic model of the site, in order to explain not its architectonic complexity, but taphonomy and the site formation process.