Architectural photogrammetry in Turkey

Abstract

Photogrammetry has a long tradition in Turkey, particularly in the field of map making, but the application of this technique to the survey of ancient monuments and sites is relatively new. In addition to such institutes as the General Directorate of Mapping and the General Directorate of Deeds and Cadastral Surveys which undertake large-scale aerial photogrammetric survey projects with the purpose of map-making, the Ministry of Forestry, the General Directorate of Highways and some universities can also be named among institutions which apply photogrammetric techniques for various purposes. Except for the Administration for Electrical Surveys (E.I.E.I.), which has made some trial applications of terrestrial photogrammetry to historic monuments during recent years, none of the above mentioned institutions extend their work beyond aerial photogrammetry. The Architectural Photogrammetry Center of the Middle East Technical University (M.E.T.U.) in Ankara was established in 1967 by the Restoration Department of the Faculty of Architecture as a first step towards compiling an archive of stereoscopic pictures of ancient monuments in Turkey; during the initial years of its operations, it completed the photogrammetric survey of the Karacabey Tomb in collaboration with the E.I.E.I. But the Center started functioning in 1971, following the acquisition of plotting instruments. This paper summarizes the findings of the Center during the implementation of its first three projects, aimed at the restoration of Turkey's historical monuments.