Abstract
Abstract. This study describes the methodology carried out and the main results achieved when using photogrammetry and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) to obtain 3D models of the evolution of archaeological works in Egyptian tombs. More concretely, the study was performed in the exterior zone of the QH34 set of tombs located in the necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa (Aswan, Egypt). The necropolis is composed of tens of rock-cut tombs located in a medium-size hill situated on a bank of the Nile River. The QH34 zone concentrates a great quantity of tombs from several periods of ancient Egypt. The area of study is situated on a horizontal platform of the terrain of about 300 m2. Thanks to the particular geology of this zone, with a fracture that caused the collapse of part of the rocks, much of these tombs have remained intact because the remains of the collapsed terrain hid their entrances. The archaeological works were carried out during two periods (2018 and 2019 campaigns). The main goal of this study was to model the evolution of these works using several geomatic techniques and obtaining several 3D models of the terrain and burial elements to document the previous, intermediate and final status and to analyse the archaeological works undertaken. In addition, a reduced time was demanded for the acquisition of data. The methodology developed has demonstrated its viability for performing multi-temporal studies in order to document the evolution of the excavation, providing a wide and reliable set of geomatic products.
Highlights
The development of geomatic techniques during the last decades has allowed the improvement of the graphical documentation of archaeological sites
The use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) (Colomina, Molina, 2014; Nex, Remondino, 2014; Campana, 2017) and masts (Georgopoulos, 1999; Mozas-Calvache et al, 2012; Martínez et al 2013; Ortiz et al, 2013; Blockley, Morandi, 2015; Martínez et al, 2015; Pérez et al, 2019; Mozas-Calvache et al, 2019) to lift cameras supposes a useful alternative to photographs acquired from the ground because of the improvement of the coverage of the object and the reduction of the occlusions
Considering the complete zone, we obtained a 3D model with real texture of the initial status (Figure 5a), a 3D model with real texture of the final status (Figure 5b) and another 3D mesh without real texture (Figure 5c)
Summary
The development of geomatic techniques during the last decades has allowed the improvement of the graphical documentation of archaeological sites. The use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) (Colomina, Molina, 2014; Nex, Remondino, 2014; Campana, 2017) and masts (Georgopoulos, 1999; Mozas-Calvache et al, 2012; Martínez et al 2013; Ortiz et al, 2013; Blockley, Morandi, 2015; Martínez et al, 2015; Pérez et al, 2019; Mozas-Calvache et al, 2019) to lift cameras supposes a useful alternative to photographs acquired from the ground because of the improvement of the coverage of the object (usually on the terrain) and the reduction of the occlusions (e.g. those caused by the presence of vertical walls) The development of these platforms for elevating sensors has been expanded, allowing the obtaining of 3D models and cartography of archaeological sites . The use of TLS to obtain 3D models of archaeological sites supposes a viable option to consider when this type of instrument is available
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