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In the framework of the Joint Archaeological Mission of the Universities of Bologna and Lecce at the ancient town of Soknopaiou Nesos (Fayyum, Egypt) a wide-range of geomatic methodologies were experimented (GPS, total station surveys, low-height aerial and close-range photogrammetry, Visual Reality, high resolution satellite imagery, etc.). The su...
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Context 1
... ancient town of Soknopaiou Nesos (Figure 1), dating back to the Greco-Roman period, is located in Fayyum, Egypt, northward of Birket Qarun Lake; it rises on a kom with a characteristic oval shape, with ruins and buildings in mud- bricks. Unfortunately the increasing popularity of desert tourism is seriously risking the good preservation of the site. ...
Context 2
... the studied site, as already underlined, a post-editing process of the photogrammetric DTM was however necessary in areas with particular problems of homogeneous texturing or with sharp height variations. The orthophotos, characterized by a ground pixel size of 20 cm, were obtained by using bilinear transformation as resampling method, and, in a unique step, mosaicked together obtaining the orthophotomosaic showed in figure 10, relative to the area surrounding the temenos and the dromos. ...
Context 3
... availability of large scale aerial imagery could be a mean to integrate and complement terrestrial survey. The comparison ( figure 11) between orthophoto and vector representation coming from a topographical terrestrial survey conducted by the archaeologists, both into the same reference system, confirm a very good agreement and furthermore exemplifies the possibility of recognizing by the image the structures not easily identifiable by a terrestrial survey (see in the middle-right of the image). Conversely, it must be stressed that direct on-the-field examination of semi-buried structures by the archaeologist could provide in other cases a better interpretation. ...
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In the framework of the Joint Archaeological Mission of the Universities of Bologna and Lecce at the ancient town of Soknopaiou Nesos (Fayyum, Egypt) a wide-range of geomatic methodologies were experimented (GPS, total station surveys, low-height aerial and close-range photogrammetry, Visual Reality ecc.). The surveys were conducted with the aim of...
UAVs flight are actually planned only on the experience of pilots, acquiring most of time three or more time the images needed. This is a time consuming and autonomy reducing procedure. These last two aspects are strategic when extensive survey are needed as in the case of large city center and thus when in emergency situations. For example: histor...
3D cameras are a new generation of sensors more and more used in geomatics. The main advantages of 3D cameras are their handiness,
their price, and the ability to produce range images or point clouds in real-time. They are used in many areas and the use of this kind
of sensors has grown especially as the Kinect (Microsoft) arrived on the market. Th...
![Figure (1) Typical operation of an airborne LiDAR survey [17].](profile/Abbas-Khalaf-3/publication/312301168/figure/fig1/AS:450154366017536@1484336572193/Figure-1-Typical-operation-of-an-airborne-LiDAR-survey-17_Q320.jpg)
The fast development in Remote Sensing technology with various sources of
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Remote sensing in structural diagnostics has recently been gaining attention. These techniques allow the creation of three-dimensional projections of the measured objects, and are relatively easy to use. One of the most popular branches of remote sensing is terrestrial laser scanning. Laser scanners are fast and efficient, gathering up to one milli...
Citations
... Originated in the Photogrammetry Laboratory of the Massachusetts Technology Institute [1]- [3], DTMs have been developed with the contemporary diffusion of the computer in geoscience applications and the evolution of digital maps. They are used for many purposes, such as estimation of lake water volume variations [4], orthophoto production from high-resolution satellite images [5], [6], archeological mapping [7], [8], 3d thematic model [9], [10], acoustic noise mapping [11]- [13], etc. They can be produced using different data sources, e.g. ...
Geomatics techniques and applications to process lidar data, large-scale map, stereo-pair airborne photos, and Very High Resolution satellite imagery allow building very detailed Digital Terrain Models. Indeed, in studies characterized by a smaller reference scale, lower resolution models are required to handle a smaller amount of data. Therefore, rather than producing more models with different resolutions, it is preferable to create only one of the multiscale types by using generalization techniques. Different approaches are described in literature in order to achieve this purpose and the results are different in relation to the technique used. This paper aims to compare different algorithms and procedures for Digital Terrain Model generalization. The area selected for this study presents a variegate zone with variable slopes, in order to examine the generalization process in different gradient ranges. Elevation data are extracted from 1:5,000 scale mapping and processed with Geostatistical Analyst to produce Digital Terrain Models with 4 m cell resolution. Five different approaches for generalization are adopted and compared: two based on filtering algorithms (respectively media and median), three on regeneration of Digital Terrain Model interpolating contours or elevation points extracted from the starting model. A new index is provided to evaluate each resulting model also in reference to its capacity to preserve the initial significant values. All the operations are carried out using the Geographic Information System software.
... In Bitelli et al., (2004) a wide range of geomatic methodologies were experimented for archaeological mapping. The authors described the acquisition and processing steps of low-height aerial imagery to provide extensive mapping capabilities, using both semi-metric and non-metric cameras lifted by balloon and kites. ...
The introduction into the commercial market of affordable and off-the-shelves Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), have lately boosted the mapping capabilities of archaeologists. Hardware solutions have been indeed supported by more accurate flight planning software allowing to increase the reliability of 3D models in terms of spatial resolution and geometric accuracy. However, during the last decades, aerial photography was mainly performed exploiting imaging sensors mounted on kites, balloons and poles. Although being an affordable and user-friendly solution, the use of these platforms did not allow the collection of images following an ordered data collection, hence introducing factors in the network design which could hamper the photogrammetric reconstruction. This study aims to assess the Bundle Adjustment (BA) accuracy and the reliability of the photogrammetric reconstruction by reprocessing various dataset collected over the UNESCO archaeological site of Khirokitia Vouni (Cyprus) using a commercial software and DBAT (Damped Bundle Adjustment Toolbox).
... Powered airship platforms are equipped with power propulsion devices, which fearures include cheap, easy to operate, can fly in low altitude and low speed. They have been widely used in mineral resources management, geological environment survey, disaster prevention, agriculture, forestry, water conservancy, etc. Example researches for the airships include the low-height photogrammetric studies by Zhang Y. J. and other researchers (Zhang, 2009;, the photogrammetric documentation of archaeological sites by Bitelli G. (Bitelli, 2004), single linear hyperspectral pushbroom imaging sensor directly hung under the aerostat by Zhang A. W. , and unmanned airship thermal infrared remote sensing system for monitoring of urban thermal environments by Ren P. (Ren, 2015). The tethered balloons are tied to the ground by tether rope, that makes the observation range so limited. ...
As a platform with the advantages of safety, wide altitude range and long flight time, tethered balloon has been used in archaeology, coastal, island mapping and other related fields. Tethered balloon is tied to the mooring system by tether rope, and often moves in a small range with the airflow, resulting in a very close distance between the camera stations. Due to the small base-to-height ratio, failure of relative orientation or poor quality of point cloud tend to appear frequently. In this paper, a mapping system for tethered balloon is introduced which consists of a wide-angle camera, two auxiliary orientation cameras, and a dual GNSS/IMU system. The wide-angle camera combined by five cameras provides a larger observation range. Two auxiliary orientation cameras installed at the end of extension rods are designed to increase the baseline. The system should be operated during the taking-off, hovering and landing stages of the tethered balloon, so as to take images of different altitudes. The system has been adopted in the first experimental flight in 2018 to perform island topographic survey. Data processing method was applied to test the effect of the system. The method that choosing wide-angle images of different heights, and auxiliary images at low-altitude can be used for aerial triangulation successfully, and obtain point cloud with good quality. The results showed that by adding auxiliary cameras and taking images of different heights for data processing, the problem of small intersection angle could be overcome to some extent.
... Measurements can be extracted both from the photographs and from the 3D models generated from the photographs. This technique can be used on large and small scales, from archeological sites [17] to small insects [18]. Photographs can be taken using a single-or multi-camera system, and the use of reference points is optional. ...
An accurate and precise documentation of injuries is fundamental in a forensic pathological context. Photographs and manual measurements are taken of all injuries during autopsies, but ordinary photography projects a 3D wound on a 2D space. Using technologies such as photogrammetry, it is possible to create 3D detailed, to-scale, true-color documentation of skin injuries from 2D pictures. A comparison between the measurements of 165 lesions taken during autopsies and on photogrammetrically processed pictures was performed. Different types of lesions were considered: 38 blunt force injuries, 58 sharp force injuries, and 69 gunshot injuries. In all cases, very low differences were found with mean ≤ 0.06 cm and median ≤ 0.04 cm; a mean difference of 0.13 cm was found for the blunt force injuries. Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed no statistically significant differences between the two measurement methods (p > 0.05). The results of intra- and inter-observer tests indicated perfect agreement between the observers with mean value differences of ≤ 0.02 cm. This study demonstrated the validity of using photogrammetry for documentation of injuries in a forensic pathological context. Importantly, photogrammetry provides a permanent 3D documentation of the injuries that can be reassessed with great accuracy at any time. Such 3D models may also be combined with 3D reconstruction obtained from post-mortem CT scans for a comprehensive documentation of the lesion (internal and external information) and ultimately used for virtual reconstruction.
... This work usually has two distinct phases: the acquisition of photographic images from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and processing them with dedicated software. The precision of 3D reconstruction using digital photogrammetry depends mainly on image definition (resolution, micro-contrast and how granular the image is) and their correct overlapping [1][2][3]. Any shortage of images with effective common key points leads to having to acquire more or integrate them with other images [4]. ...
This work describes a simple, fast, and robust method for identifying, checking and managing the overlapping image keypoints for 3D reconstruction of large objects with numerous geometric singularities and multiple features at different lighting levels. In particular a precision 3D reconstruction of an extensive architecture captured by aerial digital photogrammetry using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) is developed. The method was experimentally applied to survey and reconstruct the ‘Saraceni’ Bridge’ at Adrano (Sicily), a valuable example of Roman architecture in brick of historical/cultural interest. The variety of features and different lighting levels required robust self-correlation techniques which would recognise features sometimes even smaller than a pixel in the digital images so as to automatically identify the keypoints necessary for image overlapping and 3D reconstruction. Feature Based Matching (FBM) was used for the low lighting areas like the intrados and the inner arch surfaces, and Area Based Matching (ABM) was used in conjunction to capture the sides and upper surfaces of the bridge. Applying SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform) algorithm during capture helped find distinct features invariant to position, scale and rotation as well as robust for the affinity transformations (changes in scale, rotation, size and position) and lighting variations which are particularly effective in image overlapping. Errors were compared with surveys by total station theodolites, GPS and laser systems. The method can facilitate reconstruction of the most difficult to access parts like the arch intrados and the bridge cavities with high correlation indices.
... Though we did capture over 2,000 images with the UAVs at the site, image quality and coverage were uneven and photogrammetric results did not meet the project requirements. Thus, during the 2013 season, we opted to use a tethered meteorological balloon as the photographic platform (a widely used and proven method; see Bitelli et al. 2004;Poehler 2015). This technique was not without its difficulties and was much slower, but it did produce virtually full-coverage orthoimagery of the site. ...
Mobilizing the Past is a collection of 20 articles that explore the use and impact of mobile digital technology in archaeological field practice. The detailed case studies present in this volume range from drones in the Andes to iPads at Pompeii, digital workflows in the American Southwest, and examples of how bespoke, DIY, and commercial software provide solutions and craft novel challenges for field archaeologists. The range of projects and contexts ensures that Mobilizing the Past for a Digital Future is far more than a state-of-the-field manual or technical handbook. Instead, the contributors embrace the growing spirit of critique present in digital archaeology. This critical edge, backed by real projects, systems, and experiences, gives the book lasting value as both a glimpse into present practices as well as the anxieties and enthusiasm associated with the most recent generation of mobile digital tools.
MtP_Cover_3dirt.pngThis book emerged from a workshop funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities held in 2015 at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. The workshop brought together over 20 leading practitioners of digital archaeology in the U.S. for a weekend of conversation. The papers in this volume reflect the discussions at this workshop with significant additional content. Starting with an expansive introduction and concluding with a series of reflective papers, this volume illustrates how tablets, connectivity, sophisticated software, and powerful computers have transformed field practices and offer potential for a radically transformed discipline.
... UAV operators can easily and rapidly develop flight plans and analyze collected flight data using free and open-source software such as the Ardupilot Mission Planner (Ardupilot-Mega 2013). Modern image-collection techniques for archaeological site survey include the use of camera-equipped balloons (Bitelli et al. 2004), radio-controlled helicopters (Theodoridou et al. 2000), kites (Aber et al. 1999), and other fixed-wing and rotor-based ...
Medium-scale archaeological phenomena (large settlements, landscape features and infrastructural systems, road networks, etc.) pose significant challenges to archaeological documentation. Traditionally, such features are mapped either schematically or via labor-intensive (or otherwise
costly) high-resolution methods. The advent of inexpensive, packable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and lighter-than-air platforms, combined with increasingly sophisticated photogrammetric and mobile geographic information system (GIS) software systems, presents opportunities for improving
on these compromises. Here, we present results from test flights and photogrammetric mapping using UAVs and a meteorological balloon, combined with mobile GIS-based attribute registry of architectonic features at a large, complex colonial planned settlement (Mawchu Llacta de Tuti) in highland
colonial Peru. First, the operating parameters of UAVs are presented, as well as the imagery capture and photogrammetric processing work flows. Second, we provide an overview of the tablet-based mobile GIS system used to digitize a site plan (based on the imagery from the UAV) and register
architectural attributes from each building. The results from initial testing suggest that in the near future, such combined close-range photogrammetry and mobile GIS-based systems will significantly enhance and expedite high-resolution data registry of a wide range of archaeological features,
sites, and landscapes.
... In this sense a more complete study of UAVs can be found on Eisenbeiss, 2009a. The use of balloons and blimps (Altan et al., 2004;Bitelli and Girelli, 2004), kites and helikites (Verhoeven et al., 2009), masts (Georgopoulos et al., 1999) and paragliders and ultralights (Faustmann and Palmer, 2005) as platforms for acquiring the photographs have also been used for heritage documentation and they suppose a low cost alternative with respect to those low height flights. In this way there are several works which analyze some projects developed with these techniques. ...
In this work it is performed a comparison of two methods for obtaining digital elevation models (DEMs) and orthoimages of
medium-sized archaeological sites (500-5000 m2). The photogrammetric methods analyzed consist in the use of a light aerial
platform applying the normal case of photogrammetry (vertical photographs and regular blocks), and the second one is based on a
network of oblique photographs, taken from a telescopic mast, using a DEM obtained from a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) survey.
The main goal is to analyze the more efficient method for these studies taking into account variables such the working time, the
accuracy obtained in the final products, the visual analysis of final orthoimages, etc. This study has been applied to the same
archaeological site in two different epochs. The image acquisition was performed before and after a conservation intervention at the
archaeological site. The results have shown similar characteristics for both products (DEMs and orthoimages) and accuracies but the
density of DEMs and the visual analysis of orthoimages have shown differences that allows us to select the more adequate method
taking into account the characteristics of each case. Thus the DEMs obtained using the TLS survey has shown more density of points
while the visual analysis of orthoimages has shown a better behaviour (radiometrically and visually) in the case of vertical
photographs.
... TV systems and digital viewfinders connected to the camera allow the operator to follow the mission plan. As with other UAV's, ample references can be found with respect to balloons (both helium and hot air) and blimps for surveying archaeological sites (Karras et al., 1999; Celikoyan et al., 2003; Bitelli et al., 2003; Bitelli and Girelli, 2004; Altan et al., 2004; Fotinopoulos, 2004; Mihajlovic et al., 2008; Gómez-Lahoz and González-Aguilera, 2009). But these aerial platforms also have problems during flight control, since they are very sensitive to winds (large problems arise with wind speeds higher than 10 km/h). ...
... Many projects involving photogrammetric processing of low-altitude images have been reported (including Karras et al., 1999;Altan et al., 2004;Bitelli et al., 2004;Zhang et al., 2005;Lin, 2008;Nagai et al., 2008). For example, 0AE04 m height accuracy has been achieved with high-resolution images acquired from a tethered balloon ( Altan et al., 2004). ...
Low-altitude images acquired by unpiloted aerial vehicles have the advantages of high overlap, multiple viewing angles and very high ground resolution. These kinds of images can be used in various applications that need high accuracy or fine texture. A novel approach is proposed for parallel processing of low-altitude images acquired by unpiloted aerial vehicles, which can automatically fly according to predefined flight routes under the control of an autopilot system. The general overlap and relative rotation angles between two adjacent images are estimated by overall matching with an improved scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) operator. Precise conjugate points and relative orientation parameters are determined by a pyramid-based least squares image matching strategy and the relative orientation process. Bundle adjustment is performed with automatically matched conjugate points and interactively measured ground control points. After this aerial triangulation process the high-resolution images can be used to advantage in obtaining precise spatial information products such as digital surface models, digital orthophotomaps and 3D city models. A parallel processing strategy is introduced in this paper to improve the computational time of the photogrammetric process. Experimental results show that the proposed approaches are effective for processing low-altitude images, and have high potential for the acquisition of spatial information at large mapping scales, with rapid response and precise modelling in three dimensions.
