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A Proposal for the Standardized Reporting of Error and Paradata Regarding Structure from Motion (SfM) 3D Models Used in Recording and Consolidating Archaeological Architecture

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 April 2020

Mario Borrero  and
Luke R. Stroth
Mario Borrero*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, #0532, La Jolla, CA92093-0532, USA
Luke R. Stroth
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, #0532, La Jolla, CA92093-0532, USA
*
(mborrero@ucsd.edu, corresponding author)
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Abstract

In the past decade, archaeologists have increasingly made use of photogrammetry, the process of creating 3D models from photographs, in a variety of field and lab settings. We argue that we must, as a discipline, develop a consistent methodology to ensure that 3D models are held to a consistent standard, including not only photographic protocol but also the documentation of model accuracy using an agreed-upon measure. To help develop this discussion, we present our system for incorporating photogrammetry into the documentation of architecture. This technique was developed at the site of Nim Li Punit, Belize, in 2018. Excavating architecture involves documenting the pre-excavated building, liberating overburden, documenting all in situ construction (including wall fall, fill stones, and standing architecture), drawing consolidated architecture, and documenting the final state of the post-excavated buildings. The generation of 3D models greatly assisted in all facets of the excavation, documentation, analysis, and consolidation processes. To ensure that our models were accurate, we documented the reprojection error and final model horizontal distortion to assess the quality of the model. We suggest that documenting both forms of error should become standard practice in any discussion of archaeological applications of photogrammetry.

En la última década, los arqueólogos han recurrido cada vez más al uso de la fotogrametría, el proceso en el cual crean modelos tridimensionales (3D) con fotografías. Este proceso se da una variedad de lugares como en el campo y/o laboratorio. Discutimos que, como disciplina, debemos desarrollar una metodología consistente para garantizar que los modelos 3D se mantengan en un estándar consistente, que incluya no solo el protocolo fotográfico y que la documentación sea precisa y utilice las medidas acrodadas en la metodología aprobada. Para ayudar a desarrollar esta discusión, presentamos nuestro sistema para incorporar fotogrametría en la documentación de la arquitectura. Esta técnica se desarrolló en el sitio arqueológico de Nim Li Punit, Belice, en 2018. La excavación de arquitectura consiste en documentar el edificio preexcavado, liberar la sobrecarga, documentar toda la construcción in situ (incluida la caída de muros, piedras de relleno y arquitectura en pie), dibujos de la arquitectura consolidada, y documentación del estado final de los edificios post-excavación. La generación de modelos 3D ha ayudado mucho en todas las facetas de los procesos de excavación, documentación, análisis y consolidación. Para garantizar que nuestros modelos fueran precisos, documentamos el error de reproyección para evaluar la calidad de la alineación y los cambios en las distancias entre los puntos de control ya conocidos medidos en el mundo real, y las medidas realizadas en el mismo punto en el espacio digital. Nuestra meta será la de evaluar el grado de distorsión en el proyecto final. Sugerimos que documentar ambas formas de error se convierta en una práctica estándar en futuras discusiones sobre aplicaciones arqueológicas utilizando la fotogrametría.

Keywords

photogrammetryarchitecture3D modelingStructure from Motion (SfM)Maya archaeologyfield methodsfotogrametríaarquitecturamodelado en 3Destructura a partir del movimiento (Structure from Motion; SfM)arqueología mayatécnica de excavación
Type
Articles
Information
Advances in Archaeological Practice , Volume 8 , Issue 4 , November 2020 , pp. 376 - 388
Copyright
Copyright 2020 © Society for American Archaeology

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