Archaeology to Ground Control, Do You Read Me?: Advancing Digital Methods for 3D Field Documentation at Pompeii, Insula I.14 (15 min)

Presenters

Gretchen Zoeller, University of Pittsburgh; Cade O?Fallon, St. Olaf College; Kortnee Bell, AIA member at large; Alex Badillo, Indiana State University; and Allison Emerson, Tulane University

Abstract

The emergence of three-dimensional documentation technologies such as structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry has sparked a transformative wave in archaeological recording practices. These advanced techniques are progressively being incorporated as an integral component of the archaeological toolkit. The capability to generate spatially referenced outputs, including orthophotos and digital elevations models (DEMs), surpasses the efficiency of conventional approaches, providing precise recording while minimizing field time.

During the 2023 summer field season, Tulane University, in collaboration with archaeologists from other institutions, conducted archaeological research at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pompeii, Italy, combining SfM photogrammetry and low aerial photography to streamline GIS outputs that would serve as foundational maps for digitization.

While digital recording technology is not new to archaeology; our project’s novel approach to documentation via the implementation of 3D printed, fixed ground control points (GCPs) allowed for the rapid and seamless registration of subsequent digital models of an archaeological area over the course of its excavation. The consistent incorporation of fixed ground control points used to align each subsequent model eliminates sources of error that may otherwise be introduced by traditional methods of manual point-matching between models.

This paper details the methods used, and advantages provided by implementing fixed ground control points into the photogrammetric documentation of Insula I.14. Additionally, our goal is to illustrate the accessibility and potential applicability of this method in a variety of archaeological contexts to efficiently produce spatially referenced outputs and expand the repository of 3D datasets. Utilizing innovative visualization techniques, archaeology stands to leverage these advancements for heightened community engagement and increased accuracy in field documentation methods.