The Landscape Research Centre has had a pioneering role in computer applications in archaeology for more than 25 years. We have been intensely aware of the need to find ways in which we can properly and powerfully articulate the three dimensional nature of the archaeological resource whether as part of the landscape or in excavation for some time. We have experimented with the use of 3D laser scanners over the past few years and found that extraordinary as the technology is, gathering clouds of precisely located 3D points that describe a surface, it is still relatively expensive and the processing of the data requires powerful computers and relatively complex software. New advances in computer software combined with the increased resolution of digital photography means that we can now quickly and easily create high quality 3D models of archaeological features from a bunch of ‘free’ photographs without photogrammetric cameras or control points. The image below shows a 3D image of Boltby Scar created from a group of air photographs, a 2D image of a 3d image with elegant lighting which exposes the three dimensional nature even of subtle features. You can download the 3D model and rotate and view it yourself by follow the link below. Please note it is an 18Mb file but worth the wait.
A 3D Model of Boltby Scar created from 24 air photographs using Agisoft Photoscan and edited in Meshlab
this 3D pdf was generated from a 3D object file using Simlab Composer
http://www.landscaperesearchcentre.org/3d/Boltby_Scar_3D_model.pdf
We are aware that there are many questions about precise precision of 3D models generated from ‘free’ photography. At present our objectives have not been to replace proper measurement and observation with a quick solution but to enhance our record with something that is far easier to grasp visually; it must be remembered that when we excavate we destroy what we observe.
You can see the Leica scan of the barrow being excavated at Boltby Scar in 2011 and some other examples by going to:
http://www.landscaperesearchcentre.org/3d.html
To read a blow-by-blow blog in the 2011 excavations in progress and reports from York University undergraduates who spent three weeks at the site as part of their field training please view the Boltby Blog @ http://boltbyscar.wordpress.com/
You can download the excavation interim report for 2011 by following the link below:
http://www.landscaperesearchcentre.org/Boltby_Scar_2011_Interim.pdf
The Landscape Research Centre 