GIS-based mapping of archaeological sites with low-altitude aerial photography and structure from Motion: A case study from Southern Jordan

Abstract

Structure from Motion (SfM) is one of the trendiest techniques in archaeology today. Archaeologists across the world are increasingly applying techniques of digital photogrammetry to record archaeological sites in three-dimensions, often for the sake of documenting active excavations or for acquiring a new perspective on sites. This paper describes one such recording campaign, conducted as part of the Edom Lowlands Regional Archaeology Project (ELRAP) in southern Jordan, under the direction of T.E. Levy and M. Najjar. ELRAP team members recorded the Iron Age copper production site of Khirbat al-Jariya with low-altitude balloon photography for the purpose of SfM modeling and production of 2D GIS data. This data served as an excellent basis for comprehensive site mapping, substantially improving on the results of previous, traditionally-conducted mapping efforts. We suggest that aerial SfM-based mapping approaches are the best method currently available for exhaustive site mapping.