Abstract
Abstract. One of the popular uses of UAVs in photogrammetry is providing an archaeological documentation. A wide offer of low-cost (consumer) grade UAVs, as well as the popularity of user-friendly photogrammetric software allowing obtaining satisfying results, contribute to facilitating the process of preparing documentation for small archaeological sites. However, using solutions of this kind is much more problematic for larger areas. The limited possibilities of autonomous flight makes it significantly harder to obtain data for areas too large to be covered during a single mission. Moreover, sometimes the platforms used are not equipped with telemetry systems, which makes navigating and guaranteeing a similar quality of data during separate flights difficult. The simplest solution is using a better UAV, however the cost of devices of such type often exceeds the financial capabilities of archaeological expeditions. The aim of this article is to present methodology allowing obtaining data for medium scale areas using only a basic UAV. The proposed methodology assumes using a simple multirotor, not equipped with any flight planning system or telemetry. Navigating of the platform is based solely on live-view images sent from the camera attached to the UAV. The presented survey was carried out using a simple GoPro camera which, from the perspective of photogrammetric use, was not the optimal configuration due to the fish eye geometry of the camera. Another limitation is the actual operational range of UAVs which in the case of cheaper systems, rarely exceeds 1 kilometre and is in fact often much smaller. Therefore the surveyed area must be divided into sub-blocks which correspond to the range of the drone. It is inconvenient since the blocks must overlap, so that they will later be merged during their processing. This increases the length of required flights as well as the computing power necessary to process a greater number of images. These issues make prospection highly inconvenient, but not impossible. Our paper presents our experiences through two case studies: surveys conducted in Nepal under the aegis of UNESCO, and works carried out as a part of a Polish archaeological expedition in Cyprus, which both prove that the proposed methodology allows obtaining satisfying results. The article is an important voice in the ongoing debate between commercial and academic archaeologists who discuss the balance between the required standards of conducting archaeological works and economic capabilities of archaeological missions.
Highlights
IntroductionSince the beginning of the second decade of 21th century UAV became essential component in archaeological tool-box
AND RESEARCH ISSUESince the beginning of the second decade of 21th century UAV became essential component in archaeological tool-box
From archaeological perspective the results are very interesting because they prove that even institutions which are equipped with cheaper UAV systems are still able to study landscapes and areas larger than 1 km2. This leads to democratization of modern technologies which become available to wider group of researchers, including those involved in academic archaeology and leading issue-oriented studies as well as those involved in heritage management and protecting of archaeological remains in natural landscape
Summary
Since the beginning of the second decade of 21th century UAV became essential component in archaeological tool-box. Images made by drones are categorized as “Low Altitude Aerial Photos” (LAAP). Archaeologists have been using LAAP for over a century but only very few specialists could benefit from this kind of data as the available flying platforms like blimps or kites demanded a lot of training, were very weather-dependent and often unreliable (Verhoeven, 2009). As soon as easier to operate UAV systems became available the number of research using LAAP significantly increased (Campana, 2016). Less expensive UAV systems allow to make oblique images that represents relations between archaeological sites and surrounding landscapes. Together with more and more userfriendly photogrammetric software they make it possible to create 3D models of excavations, architecture and sites
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