What is structure-from-motion photogrammetry?

It is a technique that builds a 3D model from many overlapping photographs taken from different angles, using software to match features and reconstruct the object's shape and texture.

Why make 3D models in archaeology?

They preserve a detailed record of objects and features that may be destroyed by excavation or decay, and they support measurement, analysis, conservation planning, and sharing with the public.

Three-Dimensional Modeling and Photogrammetry

Three-dimensional modeling and photogrammetry create accurate digital replicas of artifacts, features, and sites, supporting recording, analysis, conservation, and public engagement.

Definition

The creation and use of accurate three-dimensional digital models of archaeological objects, features, and sites, generated through photogrammetry or laser scanning for documentation, analysis, and conservation.

Scope

This topic covers the capture and use of three-dimensional digital data in archaeology, chiefly through structure-from-motion photogrammetry and laser scanning. It addresses how overlapping photographs or laser measurements are turned into point clouds, meshes, and textured models, applications to excavation recording and monument documentation, and standards for accuracy, archiving, and reuse.

Core questions

How are 3D models built from photographs or laser scans?
How is photogrammetry used to record excavations and monuments?
What accuracy, metadata, and archiving standards apply?
How do 3D models support analysis, conservation, and public access?

Key theories

Structure-from-motion photogrammetry: The reconstruction of three-dimensional geometry from many overlapping photographs by automatically matching features across images, producing scaled point clouds and textured models at low cost.
Standards for heritage 3D recording: The development of good-practice guidance ensuring that 3D capture is accurate, georeferenced, documented with metadata, and archived so that models are reliable and reusable.

History

Photogrammetry has long been used to record monuments, but it was transformed in the 2010s by structure-from-motion software, which made high-quality 3D capture cheap and routine using ordinary cameras and drones. Combined with laser scanning, it has become standard for recording excavations and at-risk heritage, supported by good-practice guidance from bodies such as Historic England.

Debates

Accuracy, archiving, and long-term value: As 3D capture proliferates, scholars debate the metric reliability of models, the burden of archiving large datasets, and whether models are genuinely reused for analysis or mainly serve visualization.

Key figures

Fabio Remondino
Brandon R. Olson
William R. Caraher

Seminal works

remondino2011
olson2015

Frequently asked questions

What is structure-from-motion photogrammetry?: It is a technique that builds a 3D model from many overlapping photographs taken from different angles, using software to match features and reconstruct the object's shape and texture.
Why make 3D models in archaeology?: They preserve a detailed record of objects and features that may be destroyed by excavation or decay, and they support measurement, analysis, conservation planning, and sharing with the public.