Abstract
Abstract. The paper presents archaeological and architectural research in the Royal Castle in Warsaw where a combination of image- and range-based 3D acquisition was applied. The area examined included excavations situated inside the Tower and near its outer western wall. The work was carried out at various periods and in different weather conditions. As part of the measurements, laser scanning was performed (with a Z+F 5006h scanner) and a series of close-range images were taken. It was important to integrate the data acquired to create a comprehensive documentation of archaeological excavations. When data was acquired from TLS together with photogrammetric data (in different measurement periods), the points' displacements were controlled and analysed. The process of orienting and processing the terrestrial images included photographs taken during the inventory of the tower (Canon 5D Mark II) and photographs provided by the Castle's employees (Canon PowerShot G5 X). Agisoft PhotoScan software was used to orient and process the terrestrial images, and LupoScan for the TLS data. In order to integrate the TLS data and the clouds of points from the photographs from the various stages, they were processed into a raster form; our own software (based on the OpenCV library and the Structure-from-Motion method) and LupoScan software were used to interconnect the multi-temporal and multi-sensor data sets. As a result of processing photographs and TLS data, point clouds in an external reference system were obtained. This data was then used to study the thickness of the walls of the Justice Court Tower, to analyse the course of the retaining wall, and to generate the orthoimages necessary for chronological analysis.
Highlights
During archaeological research it is extremely important to meticulously document the levels which are unearthed
In so-called urban archaeology, architectural relics have a special place; they are one of the more important sources which testify to the tangible culture of past decades
The main advantages of the image-based approach are: (1) the price of the instrument – cameras cost much less than terrestrial laser scanners, (2) smaller devices in comparison to TLS are more convenient in places which are hard to reach, such as deep excavations, (3) shorter measurement times, in comparison with TLS, (4) independence from the size of the objects examined and the shooting distance – the only limitation is the resultant density of the clouds of points and the GSD of the photographs
Summary
During archaeological research it is extremely important to meticulously document the levels which are unearthed. Conducting accurate inventory of the existing walls in conjunction with the analysis of adjacent layers is extremely important This option is possible thanks to contemporary methods of documentation, both in the area of registration and the further analyses of the data obtained. The excavations took place near the Justice Court Tower, known as the Great Tower in the Middle Ages, and which was most probably raised in the third quarter of the 14th century. It is the oldest existing brick edifice which is part of the castle complex. Despite substantial interference, during the current works it was possible to reach those layers which had not been damaged, including the layer connected with the raising of the tower, that is, the excavation batch prepared for the foundations
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