Structure from Motion and Archaeological Excavation: Experiences of the Via Consolare Project in Pompeii
The last decade of advances in Image-Based Modeling (IBM) data acquisition based on Structure from Motion (SfM) have made it possible as never before to record excavated archaeological deposits, historical architectural remains, artifacts, and geographical surroundings in the field. Armed only with...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Indiana University Office of Scholarly Publishing
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Studies in Digital Heritage |
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| Online Access: | https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/sdh/article/view/27260 |
| _version_ | 1818885132706119680 |
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| author | Michael Andrew Anderson |
| author_facet | Michael Andrew Anderson |
| author_sort | Michael Andrew Anderson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The last decade of advances in Image-Based Modeling (IBM) data acquisition based on Structure from Motion (SfM) have made it possible as never before to record excavated archaeological deposits, historical architectural remains, artifacts, and geographical surroundings in the field. Armed only with digital cameras and low-cost or open-source software, researchers can now produce accurate point clouds of millions of points, capturing archaeological information in high-resolution detail. But what changes will IBM really bring to the standards, requirements, and expectations of practical field methodology for projects operating on shoe-string budgets? Since 2010, the Via Consolare Project, a small archaeological research project from a State level University, has employed an entirely open-source and “free for academic use” IBM pipeline to record a variety of archaeological features in Insula VII 6 and the “Villa delle Colonne a mosaico” in Pompeii. Ranging from surviving architecture, to rubble fill layers, to the interiors of inaccessible cisterns and drains, this work has been carried out in preparation for the eventual coordination of these data into a 3D GIS of all recorded stratigraphy. Rarely were sufficient resources available for dedicated equipment or personnel to be devoted to this task. While practical implementation, even in a low-budget excavation environment, has confirmed that this technology can indeed augment archaeological field documentation and provide investigation opportunities that would otherwise be impossible, it failed to replace traditional handdrafted recording techniques and was found to present significant challenges and a number of hidden costs. This emphasizes a need for appropriate and cautious planning in implementation, especially in projects with limited means. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T16:00:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0af43d1a08304d32863d3dc4c380d8b1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2574-1748 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T16:00:35Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Indiana University Office of Scholarly Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Studies in Digital Heritage |
| spelling | doaj.art-0af43d1a08304d32863d3dc4c380d8b12022-12-21T20:14:56ZengIndiana University Office of Scholarly PublishingStudies in Digital Heritage2574-17482021-04-0142Structure from Motion and Archaeological Excavation: Experiences of the Via Consolare Project in PompeiiMichael Andrew Anderson0San Francisco State UniversityThe last decade of advances in Image-Based Modeling (IBM) data acquisition based on Structure from Motion (SfM) have made it possible as never before to record excavated archaeological deposits, historical architectural remains, artifacts, and geographical surroundings in the field. Armed only with digital cameras and low-cost or open-source software, researchers can now produce accurate point clouds of millions of points, capturing archaeological information in high-resolution detail. But what changes will IBM really bring to the standards, requirements, and expectations of practical field methodology for projects operating on shoe-string budgets? Since 2010, the Via Consolare Project, a small archaeological research project from a State level University, has employed an entirely open-source and “free for academic use” IBM pipeline to record a variety of archaeological features in Insula VII 6 and the “Villa delle Colonne a mosaico” in Pompeii. Ranging from surviving architecture, to rubble fill layers, to the interiors of inaccessible cisterns and drains, this work has been carried out in preparation for the eventual coordination of these data into a 3D GIS of all recorded stratigraphy. Rarely were sufficient resources available for dedicated equipment or personnel to be devoted to this task. While practical implementation, even in a low-budget excavation environment, has confirmed that this technology can indeed augment archaeological field documentation and provide investigation opportunities that would otherwise be impossible, it failed to replace traditional handdrafted recording techniques and was found to present significant challenges and a number of hidden costs. This emphasizes a need for appropriate and cautious planning in implementation, especially in projects with limited means.https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/sdh/article/view/27260Structure from Motion (SfM), Photogrammetry, Excavation Methodology. |
| spellingShingle | Michael Andrew Anderson Structure from Motion and Archaeological Excavation: Experiences of the Via Consolare Project in Pompeii Studies in Digital Heritage Structure from Motion (SfM), Photogrammetry, Excavation Methodology. |
| title | Structure from Motion and Archaeological Excavation: Experiences of the Via Consolare Project in Pompeii |
| title_full | Structure from Motion and Archaeological Excavation: Experiences of the Via Consolare Project in Pompeii |
| title_fullStr | Structure from Motion and Archaeological Excavation: Experiences of the Via Consolare Project in Pompeii |
| title_full_unstemmed | Structure from Motion and Archaeological Excavation: Experiences of the Via Consolare Project in Pompeii |
| title_short | Structure from Motion and Archaeological Excavation: Experiences of the Via Consolare Project in Pompeii |
| title_sort | structure from motion and archaeological excavation experiences of the via consolare project in pompeii |
| topic | Structure from Motion (SfM), Photogrammetry, Excavation Methodology. |
| url | https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/sdh/article/view/27260 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT michaelandrewanderson structurefrommotionandarchaeologicalexcavationexperiencesoftheviaconsolareprojectinpompeii |